COOTS AND CURLEWS. 287 



There are several Eails to be found in the winter in 

 Texas, from the G-reat Red-Breasted Rail {Rallus ele- 

 gans) to the least, or Little, Rail {Rallus minutus), 

 the commonest being the Clapper Rail {Rallies crepi- 

 tans), so much pursued in the Caroliuas and Vir- 

 ginia; this bird, by the way, is often called Rallus 

 Virginianus. 



Coots {Fulica Americano?) are common, hardly a 

 pond or a reed-bed near a river failing to harbour one 

 or more. 



The Long-Billed Curlew (Nmnenius longirostris), as 

 well as several lesser curlews, are found the year round 

 on the southern coasts, and though despised by the 

 natives, they furnish a ;p/a^ which is not despised by the 

 less prejudiced Britisher. 



The naturalist will find other birds which, though 

 not exactl}^ game, are worth his attention. Amongst 

 these are the Grreat Wood Ibis {Tantalus loculator), oy 

 Priest-Bird, so called on account of his white plumage 

 and the black points to his wings, which make the 

 bird, when at rest, appear disguised in a surplice with 

 the black band depending from the shoulders and 

 hanging in front. They are very fishy in flavour, and 

 therefore of no use for the table. 



The White Ibis (Ibis alba) frequents onl}^ the streams 

 which meander through the forests, as it loves shade. 



Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea Ajaja) is found in all the 

 prairie ponds in flocks of from ten to fifteen, and as it 



