BIRDS OF COI<ORADO. 63 



212. Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail. 



Summer resident ; not uncommon. Though not often 

 seen on account of its retiring habits, this species undoubtedly 

 occurs in migration over all the plains region of Colorado below 

 5,500 feet. C. E. Aiken took the nest and eggs June 4, presum- 

 ably in El Paso County. It breeds near Loveland, according to 

 Prof Wm. Osburn, and a pair is now (June, 1896,) breeding a 

 few miles from Fort Collins. 



214. Porzana Carolina. SoRA. 



Summer resident; common in suitable localities. One 

 can scarcely go by a marshy spot in Colorado on a summer 

 evening without hearing the note of this bird. It breeds 

 throughout its range from the plains to 7,000 feet. More com- 

 mon during the breeding season in the northern part of Colo- 

 rado than in the southern. 



219. Gallinuia galeata. Florida Gallinule. 



Summer visitant; rare; not known to breed. Colorado is 

 rather out of the normal range of the Gallinule, but since it is 

 found to the east, south and west of the State, its occurrence here 

 can hardly be considered as accidental. The only record for 

 Colorado is that of Allen and Brewster, who took one at Colorado 

 Springs, May 9, 1883. (B. N. O. C. VIII. 1883, 151.) 



221 Fulica americana. American Coot. 



Summer resident, common ; in migration, abundant. 

 Breeds throughout the State in suitable places on the plains 

 and in the mountain parks up to 8,000 feet. Reaches northern 

 Colorado the last of March. 



223. Phalaropus lobatus. Northern Phalarope. 

 Migratory; not uncommon. Breeds far north. Occurs 



throughout the State from the plains to well up in the mount- 

 ains. F. M. Drew notes that "May 22, six were killed by 

 flying against telegraph wires at Howardsville, Colo., at 9,500 

 feet. Unless the flock turned back and retraced fifty miles of 

 their course, they would have to cross the range at 12,000 feet." 

 (B. N. O. C. VI. 1881, 249.) They are usually found below 

 8,000 feet. Mr. Aiken has taken them several times near 

 Colorado Springs. They cross the plains of northern Colorado 

 the first half of May. 



224. Steganopus tricolor. Wilson's Phalarope. 

 Summer resident; not uncommon; in migration, common. 



The Wilson's Phalarope is more common than the Northern, 

 but there are no records of its occurrence in the mountainous 

 parts of the State. It is a common breeder around the ponds 



