l8o GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



young with head, neck and lower part of back brownish, under 

 parts whitish, length ten to twelve inches. South Atlantic and 

 Gulf States, north rarely to New England. 



FuUcaainericana.—Gm^Xm. Coot. Sea Crow. 



Color, dark slate, paler below, blackening in the head and neck, 

 tinged with olive on the back, edge of wing and tips of secondaries 

 white, bill whitish marked with reddish black near the tip, feet 

 dull green, length fourteen inches. The feet of the Coot are 

 widely lobed hke the Phalaropes, and they are more at home on the 

 water than on the land. They feed along the shores of fresh 

 water creeks and rivers, and numbers are yearly taken by Rail 

 hunters. 



By far the most abundant of the Rail in the Middle States, 

 especially during the migrations, is the so-called Sora {Po7-sana 

 Carolina) ; next in abundance come the Salt water Marsh-hen 

 (Ralbis longirostris), and the Virginia Rail or Corncrake (R. vzr- 

 ginianits), the latter a bird most unwilling to use its wings, and 

 ordinarily not to be started from the ground except by the aid of a 

 dog. The Coot (Fttlica americana) is rather abundant in the 

 middle districts, and from its size and habits is perhaps more gen- 

 erally known than the other members of the family. The Florida 

 gallinule (GaUi7iula gaJeata) is rare, but we have occasionally 

 taken it. This family contains two or three species which are 

 quite rare, and which are eagerly sought after by ornithological 

 collectors. The yellow-breasted rail (Porzana nca>eboracensis) is 

 one of these and the black rail (P.jamatccnsis) another, the latter 

 being regarded as one of the rarest of North American birds. The 

 European Corncrake (Crex pratensis) is only found on this conti- 

 nent as an accidental visitor. 



Rail shooting is a sport enjoyed almost exclusively by Phtladel- 

 phians ; certainly in no other city is it followed so regularly, and 

 with so much zest. The season occurs between times, as it were, 

 and after the two long summer months of July and August, when 

 there has been little or no shooting, it is no wonder that September 

 first is hailed with delight by the sportsman. 



The numerous flats and islands in the Delaware River at this 

 season of the year are covered with a dense growth of wild oats, 



