124 
General Notes. 
G. f rater cuius, instead of ashy as in G. canadensis , and in the color of the 
wings. In G. canadensis the edge of the wing and the primaries are 
plumbeous brown, scarcely darker than the general color, with the shafts 
of the primaries white. In G. fratercul.us the alula, edge of the wing, and 
the primaries are decidedly black, while the shafts of the primaries are 
intense shining black. The naked portion of the head is fully one third 
less in G. fraterculus than in the other, the feathered portion extending 
forward centrally as far as the middle of the orbits, instead of ending far 
behind them. 
Dr. Palmer’s specimen appears to be nearly adult, or to have at least 
nearly completed its first moult, there being only here and there a 
brownish-tipped feather indicative of immaturity. It is certainly mature 
so far as size is concerned, as the date of capture (February 23) would 
alone sufficiently indicate. 
Dr. Palmer’s note accompanying the specimen gives the species as a 
“ winter resident ” at the locality where it was taken. Whether the 
species is of frequent occurrence within the United States remains to be 
determined ; yet, if at all common, it seems strange that it should have 
escaped the notice of the recent collectors, who have so thoroughly ex- 
plored Southern Texas, Southern New Mexico, and the adjoining portions 
of Arizona, but less so when we take into account the difficulty of capture 
of these wary birds, and the fact that, if seen merely at a distance, the 
species might easily be mistaken for the larger G. canadensis , and its ac- 
quisition not considered of special importance. — J. A. Allen, Cambridge , 
Mass. 
Notes on the Habits of Rallus obsoletus, with a Description 
of its Eggs. — I have found these birds abundant, at all seasons of the 
year, on the salt marshes of Oakland, San Mateo, and other marshes that 
are partially covered by the highest tides. At such times they may be 
shot by the dozen, as they sit upon floating drift-wood, the dead body of 
an animal, a fence, or, in one instance, a railroad bridge, from which they 
would not fly until nearly run into by an approaching train. Their tame- 
ness at all times, especially during the high tides, is remarkable. If 
obliged to fly, they start from either land or water as readily as a Duck. 
They swim well ; but when wounded and closely pursued, they dive, and 
hold on to the marsh grass beneath the water to keep from rising. 
► The birds are close sitters, and not easily flushed; but when once 
started, they seem to fly as long as they have the power, sometimes 
alighting in the middle of a slough, as though unable to reach the opposite 
bank. The only note that I have known them utter is a harsh cackle, 
frequently heard at night. They commence breeding in April, selecting 
a high piece of marsh ground, usually on the bank of a slough, beneath a 
species of Compositce common to the marshes. The nest is composed 
wholly of dry marsh grass, loosely laid together ; here they deposit eight 
