358 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vol. 7 



Porzana Carolina (Linnaeus) 



Sora Rail 



On May 22 one was tlushed from a nest near Quinn River 

 and flew heavily away to another part of the marsh. Bnilt in 

 an open bunch of marsh grass, the nest touched the water so 

 that the bottom of it was damp. Marsh grass was its principal 

 structural constituent, some of the stems being still green. The 

 fragments incorporated into the lining were smaller than those 

 in the main body of the nest. The whole structure was securely 

 interwoven among grass-stalks which partly supported it. It 

 was overshadowed and effectively concealed by a frail canopy 

 of broken-down stems. The diameter of the cavity was 89 mm. 

 (31/0 inches), its depth 30 mm. (1%6 inches). Ten eggs lay close 

 together in it. 



Fulica americana Gmelin 

 American Coot 

 On May 12 a single one was seen wading in the shallow water 

 of the Humboldt River near Winnemucca. No specimens of 

 this species were secured. 



Lobipes lobatus (Linnaeus) 

 Northern Phalarope 



A large flock was observed in a lagoon near Quinn River 

 Crossing on May 19. The birds were resting on the surface of 

 the water like ducks, and were surprisingly tame and unsus- 

 picious. Upon the approach of the collector they drew closer 

 together, forming a dense flock. At the discharge of the gun 

 the birds flushed, uttering sandpiper-like notes as they flew. 

 Several were wounded and others gathered around and alighted 

 near them. 



Four individuals were seen ten days later (]\Tay 29) wading 

 about ill a shallow lagoon, apparently looking for food. 



So far as known to the writer there are no records of the 

 northern phalarope for the vast extent of the (hvat Basin, the 

 nearest on the east being from Colorado, and on the west from 

 California. Furthcniiore, jNlay 10 and 29 are exceptionally late 



