218 GoLSAN AND HoLT, Birds of Alabama. [April 



the dark, coffee-colored waters are lighted for a little while by the rays of 

 the setting sun slanting down between tall cypresses and gums, and the 

 death-like stillness is broken by the wild, unearthly " quwarks " of the 

 herons. 



25. Grus americana. Whooping Cuane. — In late November or 

 early December, 1899, Mr. Thomas Hook saw five or six of these birds in 

 marshy meadows and swamps on a creek near the Alabama River, 6 miles 

 from Pratt ville. 



26. Rallus elegans. King Rail. ' Marsh Hen.' — Found breed- 

 ing in both Autauga and Montgomery Counties. Not well known on 

 account of its retiring habits. Data: May 30, 1908, Barachias; nest a 

 slightly concave mass of Sorghum halepense, 8 in. in diameter and about 

 one inch deep, woven together about stalks of high grass on ditch bank in 

 open hay field; ditch about 2 ft. deep, containing only a few inches of 

 water; eight nearly hatched eggs. (E. G. H.) June 1, 1912, Autauga Co., 

 near Autaugaville; nest of coarse grass in slight depression of ditch bank 

 in marshy old field within 10 inches of water 18 inches deep, and 4 inches 

 above the water; twelve eggs moderately incubated. (L. S. G.) 



27. Porzana Carolina. Sora. — Frequently observed in early spring, 

 One specimen seen June 1, 1912, in the edge of Bear Swamp (Autauga Co.). 



28. Coturnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. — Frequently 

 found; common in fall and early spring on open hay fields at Barachias. 



29. lonornis martinicus. Purple Gallinule. — One specimen 

 taken in summer, some years ago, in Autauga Co. 



30. Fulica americana. Coot. — A specimen taken in 1911, about 

 May 20th, near Swift Creek, Autauga Co. Reported by hunters as 

 abundant during fall and spring migrations on the Alabama River, a few 

 remaining throughout the winter. 



31. Philohela minor. Woodcock. ' Swamp Partridge.' 'Snipe.' 

 — Permanent resident in rather small numbers in Autauga Co., inhabiting 

 marshes, swamps and wet pastures. Rare in Montgomery Co., though 

 apparently increasing. Mr. C. N. Hinderer reported 9 birds near Mont- 

 gomery on January 5, 1913 and 20 in the same vicinity on January 12th. 

 Several were taken each time. 



Jan. 25, 1913, we observed a bird giving its remarkable flight song, 

 above an open flat near Bear Swamp. Three were performing at once. 

 Jan. 28 1 had abetter opportunity to observe this phenomenon, alone, down 

 by the swamp in a small, bushy field. After a series of " scapes," each 

 preceded by a kind of hiccough, the bird would rise on rapidly beating 

 wings, in a spiral, the wings making a whistling or " chippering " sound 

 that at first I attributed to the bird's vocal organs. Just before its down- 

 ward plunge the bird would chirp rapidly, much after the manner of a 

 little chicken; then it would drop suddenly to the ground, almost to the 

 same spot it had just left and begin the performance all over again. As 

 the birds do not come out until after sunset, almost night in fact, it is very 

 difficult to see them even when outlined against the western sky. (E. G. H.) 



32. Gallinago delicata. Wilson's Snipe. 'Snipe.' — Very com- 



