87 
young, which have been examined by Mr. Ridgway and pronounced 
typical. 
211a. Rallus longirostris saturatus Henshaw. [57la.] Louisiana Clapper Rail. 
A southern form found on the brackish marshes near the Gulf coast of 
Louisiana (and Texas?).* 
212. Rallus virginianus Linn. [572.] Virginia Rail. 
Winters from the Southern States southward; breeds from northern 
Illinois northward; known to breed in southeastern Dakota, and in 
Minnesota and Manitoba. -In the spring of 1884 it reached Saint Louis 
April 1, and by the middle of the month -had reached latitude 43° 43’ 
in Wisconsin. 
In the spring of 1885 the following records of ‘firsts’ were received: 
Paris, Il]., May 1; Mount Carmel, Mo., May 5; Lanesboro, Minn., May 
12; Hennepin, Ill, April 14; Fernwood, Ill, May 10; Milwaukee, 
Wis., April 23. 
In the fall of 1885 the first returning migrants appeared at Fernwood, 
Ill, September 13, and were last seen September 26. 
214. Porzana carolina (Linn.). [574.] Sora; Carolina Rail. 
Winters over the same area as the last, and also a little further 
north. It breeds from Kansas northward, and is an abundant summer 
resident in Manitoba. In southern Illinois it can be found throughout 
the year. In the spring of 1884 it was seen at Saint Louis April 1, at 
Laporte City, Iowa, April 16, and at Heron Lake, Minun., April 29. 
April 26 it arrived at Chicago, and the bulk came to Green Bay, 
Wis., May 4. The Rails, which ordinarily pass by unobserved, some- 
times are suddenly and unexpectedly brought to our notice. For years 
they had passed to and fro over the city of Winona, Minn., unmolested 
and unnoticed, but in 1884 an electric light stood in their path and 
lured them to destruction. On the night of May 21 they were the most 
numerous of the many birds that were killed or wounded by striking 
the light-tower. Around the light they could be seen by hundreds. 
fu the spring of 1885 the Sora Rail was reported from San Antonio, 
Tex., April 5; Emporia, Kans., April 11; Des Moines, Iowa, April 22; 
Laporte City, Iowa, May 1; Hennepin, Ill., May 5; Fernwood, IL, 
and Heron Lake, Minn., May 10; Minneapolis, Minn., May 11; and 
Shell River, Manitoba, May 12. 
In the fall of 1885 the first migrants were seen at Fernwood, IIL, 
August 9; Lanesboro, Minn., August 26; Emporia, Kans., September 
1; and San Angelo, Tex., September 4. The last was seen at Fern- 
wood, Ill., September 20, and at Saint Louis, Mo., October 5. In 
western Texas they are rare in spring and abundant in fall (Lloyd). 
[*Mr. Ridgway informs me that he inclines to the opinion that this Rail will prove 
to be a distinct species,—C. H. M.] 
