1892-] Scott on the Birds of Jamaica. \ \ 



Three eggs of this species were taken in June from the swamps near Pas- 

 sage Fort; the female was shot on the nest. At about dusk on calm, still 

 evenings in the winter inonths these birds flv over from the Pallisades, 

 singly or in pairs. They usually come flying very low, just clearing the 

 tops of the houses on gaining the land. When it is too dark to distinguish 

 them, their loud, startling note, a single quack, from which they take 

 their name, tells of their presence in passing. 



60. Aramus giganteus (5tfw<7^.). Limpkin. Clucking Hen. — There 

 can be no doubt that this was, in Gosse's day at least, by no means a rare 

 bird on the island, but, if not extinct, it is at least very rare now. Mr. 

 Tavlor's notes are quoted from as follows : "No living example seen. A 

 skin in the museum of the Jamaica Institute is labelled : 'presented by H. 

 O. Vickers, Esq., 12-12-S6. Locality Westmoreland.' " 



61. Rallus longirostris caribseus Ridgtv. Mangrove Hen. — Having 

 had little or no opportunity to study the Rails while on the island I quote 

 from Mr. Taylor in regard to the species under consideration. "I first 

 became familiar with the habits of the 'Mangrove Hen' during a visit to 

 the extensive swamps bordering the Pallisades. They have always proved 

 shv and difficult of approach. In the swamps near Port Henderson these 

 birds nested in hundreds, but though I spent many hours wading through 

 the shallows in the search for eggs, and counted at one time upwards of 

 twenty-five or thirty nests, I did not see a single bird. At the Pallisades 

 I have obtained many specimens, but only through lying in wait at the 

 little open pools where they love to feed. They appeared most abundant 

 at dawn and just before sunset, when they were very noisy. They called 

 to one another with a harsh, stuttering crek, and often their cry alone 

 determined their presence. Many clutches of eggs were brought in from 

 the swamps at Port Henderson, varying in number from five to eleven. 

 All the nests I examined were on the ground among the roots; one was 

 almost sure to be found at the base of any one of the numerous detached 

 clumps that dotted the shallows in all directions. The materials were 

 roots and dry leaves, large quantities of which were used, suflicient, in 

 most cases, to raise the eggs above the influence of wet." 



62. Porzana concolor ( Go.'jse) . Red RAyL. Water Partridge. — Mr. 

 Taylor has not met with this species, nor was I so fortunate as to find it. 

 The reader is referred to Gosse ('Birds of Jamaica,' pp. 369, 370) for the 

 original description of the species and notes regarding it. 



63. Porzana flaviventris {Bodd.). Minute Crake. ^ — Mr. Taylor says 

 in his notes as follows : "Shot near Passage Fort, December 27, 1SS6. Of 

 frequent occurrence. Skin: length, 6 inches; bill olive; legs and feet 

 vellowish." 



64. Porzana Carolina {Linn.). Carolina Rail. Striated Crake. — 

 The following I quote from Mr. Taj'lor's notes : "One shot on one of the 

 canals near Passage Fort, December 27, 1S86. Not uncommon in the win- 

 ter months. Skin : length, 9 inches; bill yellowish at base, merging into 

 olive brown." 



65. Porzana jamaicensis {GmeL). Black Rail. Little Red-eyed 



