JVo.l.J M'CHESNEY ON BIRDS OF DAKOTA. 95 



The Brown Crane can be very easily domesticated, and they make very 

 docile pets, following a person about from place to place much the same 

 as an antelope or deer would ; they will take their night tramps, but are 

 generally" on hand the following morning. 



EALLID.E. 



PoRZANA CAROLINA, (Liuu.) Cab. — Carolina Rail. 



Sexes are alike in color. 



Above, olive-brown, varied -vvitli black, with numerous sharp, white streaks and 

 specks; flanks, armpits, and lining of Tilings barred with white and blackish; belly 

 whitish ; under tail-coverts rufescent. Adult with the face and central line of throat 

 black ; the rest of the tlrroat, line over eye, and esjiecially the breast, more or less in- 

 tensely slate-gray, the sides of the breast usually with some obsolete whitish barring 

 and speckling ; yoimg without this black, the throat whitish, the breast bro^vn. Length 

 8-9 ; wing 4-4^ ; tail about 2. 



Occurs throughout a large portion of Dakota. 



Is found at Fort Sisseton, in small numbers, from May 15 until Octo- 

 ber ; breeds in the thick rushes around the margins of the lakes and 

 sloughs. 



The specimen measures as .follows : 



No. 681, $ , 13.40x8.80 ; wing 4.25 ; tail 2.44 ; tarsus 1.30 ; middle toe and claw 1.75. 



FuLiCA AMERICANA, Om. — American Coot; Mud Sen. 



Arrives about April 20 and remains until October 30 ; is moderately 

 abundant during this time ; breeds in the sloughs all over the Coteau. 



AKATID^. 



Cyg-nus BUCCINATOR, Eich. — Trumpeter Swan. 



Is seen only during the migrations ; in the spring, none stop in this 

 vicinity. Wlien passing south in the fall, I have observed a very few to 

 loiter in the larger lakes. 



Anser hyperboreus. Pall. — 8)ioio Goose ; White Brant. 



Sexes are alike in color. 



Bill smooth, the scales or plates very prominent, owing to arching of the edges of 

 the bill. Adult plumage j)ure Avhite, l)ut in most specimens the head washed with 

 rusty red; outer quills broadly black-tiiDped ; bill lake-red, with white nail ; feet the 

 same, with dark claws. Length about 30; wing 17-19; tail5-J-3^ ; bill 2i. 



About the 1st of April, this Goose commences to pass this region, and 

 from then until the early part of May thousands are daily seen passing 

 north ; a very few remain and breed. About the middle of September 

 it begins to return from the north, and by the 1st of October is very 

 abundant, being found in flocks often containing several thousand old 

 and young birds ; finally departs at the end of October. 



The specimen measures as follows : 



No. 686, <?, 59.00 X 29.00; wing 17.50; tail 6.25; tarsus 3.25; bill 2.40. 



