BIRDS OF THE JICINITY OF XEIV YORK CITY 145 



Yellow Rail (Coluniicops novcboracensis) . Little is known about the nest- 

 ing habits of this bird. It haunts grassy marshes and seeks safety by hiding or 

 running, and for this reason is rarely seen. Several have been taken during 

 the fall migration in this vicinity, and it is doubtless more common than is 

 generally supposed. (See group, third floor.) 



Black Rail {Crcciscus jamaiccnsis). This bird, though much rarer, has as far 

 as known the same habits as the preceding species and like it is very difficult 

 to observe. It has been taken in the spring at Jamaica Bay and doubtless breeds 

 in this vicinity, since its nest has been found at Saybrook, Conn. (Clarke, Auk, 

 I. 1884, p. 394). (See group, third floor). 



Corn Crake (Crcx crcx). This is an Old World species which sometimes 

 strays to Greenland and our Atlantic coast. In this region there are records 

 for Sag Harbor, L. I. (Dutcher, Auk, III, 1886, p. 435), Oakdale, L. I. (Butcher, 

 Auk, V, 1888, p. 177). and Saybrook, Conn. (Clark, Orn. and Ool., XIII, 1888, 

 P 45)- 



Purple Gallinule (loiwniis niartinica). Tropical America, breeding as 

 far north as South Carolina, and straying casually to Maine. There are but two 

 definite records for this region, Middle Island, L. I. (Helme, Orn. and Ool., VII, 

 1882. p. 118) and Indian Pond, near Flatlands, L. I. (Dutcher, Auk, X, 1893, p. 

 272). 



Florida Gallinule (Galliiiula galcata). Temperate and tropical America, 

 breedng as far north as Alaine, and wintering from Florida southward. It breeds 

 only locally in the northeastern part of its range, frequenting the borders of 

 ponds or streams surrounded by marshy grounds. Its nest has not been found 

 in the immediate vicinity of New Y(irk City, where it is known only as a rare 

 migrant. 



*Coot; Mud-hen ; Crow-duck {Fulica auiericana) . The Mud-hen is a not 

 uncommon bird during migration, but it is recorded as breeding only near 

 Morristown. X. J. (Thurber, True Democratic Banner, newspaper, Nov. 10, 

 1887). 



Order LIMOCOL^. Shore Birds. 

 Fa.milv PHALAROPODID.E. Phalaropes. 



Red Phalarope {Cryiuophilus fulicarius). The Phalaropes are pelagic 

 birds, not often coming to our coasts unless driven shoreward by storms. There 

 are both August and May records for this species on Long Island. 



Northern Phalarope {PhaUiroptis lobcjtus). This bird occurs with us as 

 a regular migrant, and after severe storms it is sometimes common in flocks. 

 (Dutcher, Auk. 1884, p. x''^). 



Wilson's Phalarope (.S'/rc;(j)(o/'i(.j tricolor). Interior of North America, 

 breeding from northern Illinois northward. With us it is a very rare and 

 irregular migrant. 



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