1910] FOREST, GAME AND FISH WARDEN." 89 



Virginia, so far as records show. It has been recorded from Kanawha, Put- 

 nam, Upshur, Mineral, Monogalia and Greenbrier counties. 



"13. Red-head. Has sometimes occurred in great numbers in this state, 

 though usually uncommon. 



"14. Canvas-back. Very rare. 



"15. American Scaup Duck. Mr. T. A. Morgan says this species is more 

 common in the northern part of the state than it is along the Great Knnawha. 

 Mr. Eifrig's observations confirm Mr. Morgan's opinion. 



' ' 16. Lesser Scaup Duck. Very common along the Ohio. I have seen these 

 birds in immerse flocks along that river in migration seasons. 



"17. Einged-necked Duck. Not common. 



"18. American Golden-eye. Rare. 



"19. Buffle-head. Many records for this species in West Virginia. 

 "20. Old Squaw. Very rare. 



"21. Whit-winged Scoter. Very rare. Taken by Sidney Morgan on Great 

 Kanawha. 



"22. Ruddy Duck. Occasional migrant. Reported from TJpshur ,and said 

 by Morgan brothers to be common on Great Kanawha. 



The three species of geese reported as occurring in our state are the White- 

 fronted Goose, the Snow Goose, and the Canada Goose. The records for the 

 Snow Goose, however, are very doubtful. 



"The Whistling Swan has been taken several times in our state. The other 

 species, the rare Trumpeter Swan, is doubtful. In the State Historical Rooms, 

 in the Capitol Annex, there is .a beautiful mounted specimen labeled ' ' Trump- 

 eter Swan." The identification of this speciment is questionable. 



"The next family of game birds to claim our attention is the Rallidae. The 

 members of this family are not generally known, even by those who spend much 

 time in pursuit of other game birds. Some of the Rails are among the most 

 difficult birds to study, and have been considered birds of mystery. The 

 most common representative of this family is the American Coot, commonly 

 known as 'Mud-hen.' I have observed this species in many places in the 

 state. As game birds, the Rallidae are scarcely deserving of a place in 

 West Virginia records, for many of the species are rare, and few are taken 

 for food purposes. Coots are occasionally killed and eaten along the Ohio 

 river. I shall give, however, in brief, the names of the eight species that have 

 been recorded by West Virginia observers. 



"1. King Rail. 



Clapper Rail. 

 Virginia Rail. 



"4. Sora, or Carolina Rail. 



"5. Yellow Rail (?). 



"6. Florida Gallinule. 



"7. Purple Gallinule. 



"8. American Coot. 



"We shall now consider now, for a few minutes, the order Limicolae. At 

 least forty-two species belonging to this great order are found in eastern 

 Northern America. Of these sixteen species have been found in West Virginia. 

 The order comprises several families, such as the Phalaropes, Snipes and Sand- 

 pipers, and Plovers. Those who are present will note at once that these bird* 



