BIRDS OF 



record I have of the occurrence of the Sandhill Crane in On- 

 tario. Writing under date Dec. 6, 1884, he says : " About 22 

 years ago a pair of these birds spent the summer in the marshes 

 near Murphy's landing, County Kent ; later in the season they 

 were seen stalking about accompanied by two young, and finally 

 all disappeared as the weather grew cold." 



" In 1881 a pair spent the summer near mud creek in the 

 same locality, and were often seen by the people residing there. 

 On the ist Nov., Mr. Jos. Martin, while out shooting in his 

 canoe, suddenly came upon them at short distance. He killed 

 one dead, and the other being hard hit dropped on a shaking 

 bog close by. Mr. Martin brought me the dead one, and next 

 day I went with him in search of its mate. We saw it lying 

 quite dead on the bog, but though my partner and I tried hard 

 to force our way to where it was we were compelled to give it up, 

 to my very great regret." These are the only well authenticated 

 instances of the occurrence of the Sandhill Crane in Ontario, 

 that I know of. 



These large and interesting birds are now quite rare in the 

 East, but are common enough further west, where they go a 

 long way north, as Prof. Macoun found both the present species 

 and the W r hite Crane breeding near Moose Mountains in the 

 Northwest. 



SUBORDER RALLI. RAILS, GALLINULES, COOTS, ETC. 



FAMILY RALLID^E. RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS, ETC. 



SUBFAMILY RALLIN^E. RAILS. 



GENUS RALLUS LINN^US. 



75. RALLUS ELEGANS AUD. 208. 



King Rail. 



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, 2j ; tarsus, 2 : middle toe and claw, 2|. Female smaller. 



82 



