138 ElDGWAY on Rallus Longirostris. 



information now at hand seems to throw very httle light on the 

 routes of birds during their migrations, and fails to show satisfac- 

 torily what species most frequently strike the lights (although it is 

 evident that nearly all do so to a greater or less extent), or what 

 the exact conditions are that lead to such disastrous results. These 

 data we can scarcely hope to obtain till opportunity favors observa- 

 tion by competent ornithologists ; and it seems hardly necessary to 

 urge such to take the trouble to investigate this interesting subject 

 whenever circumstances may render it pi-acticable. From the re- 

 sponses received by Mr. Deane (from some twenty light-keepers out 

 of about sixty to whom letters of inquiry were addressed), much 

 valuable information may doubtless still be obtained through the 

 kind attentions of these agents. 



The foregoing shows that the destruction of birds by light-houses 

 on the coast of the United States must amount to many thousands 

 annually. Adding to these the number killed by flying against 

 vessels, of which the case of the " Glaucus " already cited affords 

 an example, and the vast number undoubtedly destroyed by being 

 blown out to sea and drowned,* the elements, aided by man, appear 

 to exercise a powerful check upon the increase of bird life. 



ON RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS, BODD., AND ITS GEOGRAPH- 

 ICAL RACES. 



BY ROBERT RIDGWAY. 



Although, as rightly determined by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin 

 (cf. P. Z. S., 1868, p. 442), the oldest name of this species is Rallus 

 longirostris, Bodd., the birds to which this name is strictly applicable 

 are so different from those from other portions of America, referred 

 by the above authors to the same species, that it appears necessary 

 to recognize by name several geographical races. Comparing the 

 South American bird (true longirostris) with the small and very dark- 

 colored Gulf Coast form here named saturatus, the differences are 

 indeed more striking than between longirostris in any of its forms 

 and R. elegans, yet the latter is undoubtedly a distinct species. 



* On the destruction of birds from drowning see two items in this Bulletin 

 (Vol. V, pp. 44 and 192) in relation to inland waters, which are doubtless far 

 less fatal than those of the oceans. 



