3LITTLE AMERICAN WATER-HEN, 
has, perhaps, made two different species of the 
Cock and Hen; an error which, we are fully 
satisfied, frequently occurs, in every systematic 
work of ornithology, as well as in most other 
branches of natural history. 
Buffon's description is as follows — " This 
bird is of the bulk of the Quail, and mors 
a-kin to the Land-Rail than to the Water- 
Hens. It appears to be found through the 
whole extent of North America, as far as 
Hudson's Bay; though Catesby says, that he 
saw it only in Virginia: it's plumage, he tells 
us, is entirely brown. He adds, that these 
birds grow fat in autumn ; that the savages take 
them by speed of foot; and that they are as 
much prized in Virginia, as the Rice-Birds in 
Carolina, or the Ortolans in Europe." 
The Linnaean name is certainly improper, as 
the bird appears to he but little known in Caroli- 
na, and to abound in Virginia. Latham's first 
appellation partakes in this local error; but his 
latter name, the Soree Galinule, is better 
founded. In both, we have the authority of 
this distinguished ornithologist, added to that of 
Edwards, for considering it as a Water-Hen. 
