118 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



of the Sandhill Crane in Ontario that I know of, but as they are 

 known to breed in Michigan, we cannot be surprised at their some- 

 times being found on the east side of the Detroit River. The species 

 is most abundant in the Mississippi Valley, west to the Pacific coast. 

 It is irregularly distributed, having been found breeding in suitable 

 places outside of its ordinary range. It was seen by Dr. Bell near 

 Norway House, on Hudson's Bay. In the North-West it is reported 

 as tolerably common, and is often taken young and domesticated, 

 making an interesting pet. Mr. Thompson says of it : " As a game 

 bird, I am inclined to place the present species as first on the game 

 list in Manitoba. An average specimen weighs about ten pounds, 

 and the quality of the flesh is unsurpassed by any of our ordinary 

 birds, unless it be the partridge. I should strongly advocate the 

 protection of this bird by the game law were it not that it is so 

 thoroughly able to take care of itself that legislation in its favor 

 -seems altogether unnecessary." 



SUBORDER RALLI. RAILS, GALLINULES, COOTS, ETC. 



FAMILY RALLID^E. RAILS, GALLIXULES, COOTS, ETC. 



SUBFAMILY RALLIN^E. RAILS. 



GENUS RALLUS LINN^US. 

 RALLUS ELEGANS (AuD.). 



80. King Rail. (208) 



Above, brownish-black, variegated with olive-brown, becoming rich chestnut 

 on the wing coverts ; under parts, rich rufous or cinnamon-brown, usually paler 

 on the middle of the belly and whitening on the throat ; flanks and axillars, 

 blackish, white-barred. Length, about 16; wing, 5-6; tail, 2-2^; bill, 2| ; 

 tarsus, 2; middle toe and claw, 2J. Female: Smaller. 



HAB. Fresh- water marshes of the eastern portion of the United States, 

 from the Middle States, northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Kansas southward. 

 Casually north to Massachusetts, Maine and Ontario. 



Nest, a rude mass of reeds and grass, on marshy ground close to the water. 



Eggs, six to twelve, buff or cream color, speckled and blotched with reddish- 

 brown. 



This large and handsome Rail, which, until recently, was considered 

 to be only a casual visitor to Ontario, is now known to breed plenti- 

 fully in the marshes all along the River St. Clair. It has also been 



