402 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



[168.] 1. Rallus Novoboracensis. (Bonap.) Yellow-breasted Rail. 



Genus, Rallus, Linn. 



Yellow -breasted Gallinule. Penn. Arct. Zool., ii., p. 491, No. 410. 



Perdix Hudsonica. Lath. Ind., ii., p. 655, sp. 41. 



Gallinula Novoboracensis. Idem, ii., p. 77L sp. 1C. 



Rallus ruficollis. Vieil. Gal., 26'6*. 



Rallus Novoboracensis. Bonap. Si/n., p. 273. 



Pawpakapaeteesees. Cree Indians. 



We did not obtain specimens of this bird, nor did we learn any particulars 

 respecting- the extent of its migrations. Pennant and Latham merely described 

 examples that were in the Blackburnian Museum, without giving any account 

 of its habits ; and as it is not noticed by Wilson, a history of it is still a deside- 

 ratum. It is to be hoped that this will be supplied by the Prince of Musignano, 

 in the forthcoming volume of American Ornithology . In the meantime, Mr. 

 Hutchinss manuscript notice, written about the year 1777, may be interesting 

 to ornithologists : — 



" This elegant bird is an inhabitant of the marshes'* from the middle of May 

 to the end of September. It never flies above sixty yards at a time, but runs 

 with great rapidity among the long grass near the shores. In the morning and 

 evening it utters a note, which resembles the striking of a flint and steel ; at 

 other times it makes a shrieking noise. It builds no nest, but lays from ten to 

 sixteen perfectly white eggs among the grass." 



DESCRIPTION. 



" The upper mandible is black throughout; the lower one resembles the horn of lanterns, 

 with a black nib. Irides dark brown. The forehead is dark brown ; the posterior part of 

 the neck is speckled with white ; the scapulars and coverts of the wings are black, each 

 feather edged with yellowish-brown, and neatly barred with white across the middle and near 

 the end; the quill feathers are light blue, the external web of the first white ; some of the 

 secondaries are white, shaded with blue. Tail very short, dark coloured, crossed by white, 

 and gently edged with light brown : the coverts of the tail are void of edging. Throat white ; 

 breast light brown ; belly white, with brown partitions ; thighs black, barred with white. 

 Leys of a faint lead colour. Toes long and slender; the outer and middle one connected a 

 little way by a membrane. — The young ones are quite black." 



* On the coast of Hudson's Bay, near the efflux of Severn River, where Mr. Hutchins resided. — R. 



