24 CHECK LIST OF THE 



longer than head, straight and slender ; tibia extensively naked ; tarsus 

 scutellate ; toes rather short, hind toe highly elevated. 



GENUS GRUS. 

 (*) (204) Whooping Crane. 



(Grus americana.) 



A bird of the West which has once straggled into this Province. 

 Mr. Mcllwraith records the capture of a specimen in the County of Ad- 

 dington in September, 1871. 



(206) Sandhill Crane. 



(Grus mexicana.) 



An accidental visitor from the western prairies, which has been met 

 with five or six times, in our Province. It is probable that some, if not 

 all, of the specimens taken here should be referred to G. canadensis. 



FAMILY RALLID^i. (THE RAILS, COOTS, ETC.) 



Birds of medium or small size, with compressed bodies and large 

 muscular legs. Wings short, rounded and concave; tail very short. 

 Hind toe rather short, a little elevated; front toes very long. Bill not 

 sensitive at tip. All the species skulk in swamps and marshes, usually 

 keeping well under cover. They feed upon insects and such seeds as are 

 produced in their haunts. 



SUBFAMILY RALLIN^E. (THE RAILS.) 



GENUS RALLUS. 

 (208) King Rail. 



(Rallus elegans.) 



A regular summer resident of the marshes of the western end of 

 Lake Erie. I have not heard of its occurrence elsewhere. 



(212) Virginia Rail. 



(Rallus virginianus.) 



An abundant summer resident of the marshes of Ontario, breeding 

 throughout its range. 



Arrives about the middle of April and leaves early in October. 



GENUS PORZANA. 

 (214) Carolina Rail. 



(Porzana Carolina.) 



Very abundant summer resident of the marshes all over the Prov- 

 ince, breeding throughout its range. 



Arrives about the middle of April, departs about the end of October. 



