138 Ridgway on Rallus Longirostris. 
information now at hand seems to throw very little light on the 
routes of birds during their migrations, and fails to show satisfac- 
torily what species most frequently strike the lights (although it is 
evident that nearly all do so to a greater or less extent), or what 
the exact conditions are that lead to such disastrous results. These 
data we can scarcely hope to obtain till opportunity favors observa- 
tion by competent ornithologists ; and it seems hardly necessary to 
urge such to take the trouble to investigate this interesting subject 
whenever circumstances may render it practicable. From the re- 
sponses received by Mr. Deane (from some twenty light-keepers out 
of about sixty to whom letters of inquiry were addressed), much 
valuable information may doubtless still be obtained through the 
kind attentions of these agents. 
The foregoing shows that the destruction of birds by light-houses 
on the coast of the United States must amount to many thousands 
annually. Adding to these the number killed by flying against 
vessels, of which the case of the “ Glaucus ” already cited affords 
an example, and the vast number undoubtedly destroyed by being 
blown out to sea and drowned,* the elements, aided by man, appear 
to exercise a powerful check upon the increase of bird life. 
ON RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS, BODD., AND ITS GEOGRAPH- 
ICAL RACES. 
BY ROBERT RIDGWAY. 
Although, as rightly determined by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin 
(cf. P. Z. S., 1868, p. 442), the oldest name of this species is Rallus 
longirostris, Bodd., the birds to which this name is strictly applicable 
are so different from those from other portions of America, referred 
by the above authors to the same species, that it appears necessary 
to recognize by name several geographical races. Comparing the 
South American bird (true longirostris) with the small and very dark- 
colored Gulf Coast form here named saturatus , the differences are 
indeed more striking than between longirostris in any of its forms 
and R. elegans, yet the latter is undoubtedly a distinct species. 
* On the destruction of birds from drowning see two items in this Bulletin 
(Yol. Y, pp. 44 and 192) in relation to inland waters, which are doubtless far 
less fatal than those of the oceans. 
