KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 267 
Suscenus COTURNICOPS Bonar. 
PORZANA NOVEBORACENSIS (Gme/.). 
Yellow Rail. 
Above, streaked with blackish and yellowish brown; feathers 
barred and mottled with white; under parts yellowish brown, palest 
on the belly; feathers of the breast tipped with dark brown; under 
surface of wings white; a pale yellowish brown superciliary stripe. 
Length, 6; Wing, 3 to 3.50; Tarsus, .go to 1.00. 
This species ranges from Hudson’s Bay to Cuba. 
It is not uncommon in Florida. I have seen several 
specimens which have been killed by people while 
snipe shooting. I have shot two specimens on the 
marshes bordering the St. John’s River. The eggs 
are described as pale, creamy buff in color, speckled and sprinkled with 
rusty brown. 
SuBGENUS CRECISCUS Caganis. 
PORZANA JAMAICENSIS (Gmel.). 
Black Rail. 
Top of the head dusky; nape and upper back brownish 
chestnut; rest of back and upper tail feathers dusky or smoky 
brown finely barred with white; throat gray or ash gray; belly 
gray; flanks and lower belly and under tail coverts banded with 
white ; bill black. 
Length, 5 ; Wing, 2.50 to 3.20; Tarsus, .85 to .go. 
This species occurs in temperate North America 
from Massachusetts to the West Indies and South 
America. It is very retiring in its habits and 
therefore seldom seen. The eggs are usually 
ten, being dull white speckled with reddish brown. I have never met 
with it in Florida, but Mr. W. E. D. Scott records it in his list of the birds 
of the Caloosahatchie region. (Auk, p. 209, 1892.) 
