334 Synopsis of the Birds 
primary edged externally with pale rusty. Length fourteen 
inches. 
Young, greenish-ash, beneath whitish. 
Clapper rail , Rallus crepitans , Wils. Am. Orn. vii. p. 1 12. 
pi. 62. fig. 2. adult. 
Inhabits all along the Atlantic coasts of the Union : com- 
mon from spring to autumn in the middle states, where it 
breeds; a few wintering in the southern. 
271. Rallus virginianus, L. Black, skirted with brown, be- 
neath rufous ; throat white ; wing coverts chesnut ; first pri- 
mary entirely black. Length ten inches. 
Female and young much paler. 
Virginia Rail , Rallus virginianus , Wils. Am. Orn. vii. 
p. 109. pi. 62 fig. 2* 
Inhabits throughout North America; extending its migra- 
tions far to the north : rare, and during the fair season only, 
in the middle states, where it breeds; wintering to the south. 
SUBGENUS II. CREX. 
Crex , Bechst . 111. Porphyrio , Briss. 
Gallinula, Lath. Temm. Ranz. Crex , Gallinula , Meyer. 
Bill shorter than the head, robust, much higher than wide 
at base, tapering, compressed, and acute at the point ; upper 
mandible furrowed at base only, a little curved at tip ; lower 
navicular; nostrils exactly medial, oblong. 
Apparently well defined, but not so in nature, as the spe- 
cies pass from one form to the other by insensible degrees : 
may be separated from Rallus, but not united to Gallinula, 
from which it differs in form and habit, the latter being more 
closely allied to Fulica, where Linne placed it. 
272. Rallus carolinus, L. Olive-browm, skirted with black ; 
back and wings streaked with white lengthwise ; beneath slate 
color; first primary edged externally with pure white. 
Male, throat black. 
Female and young, throat white. 
