porzana iaraaicensis . 
San Geronimo, Liar in Co., California* 
1397. cause. They are the smartest, cutest little fellows I have 
Jarrvkf. over met in the bird line, swim and dive like a duck. I 
(ITo.2). caught three (3) alive in ray hands by grabbing them up out of 
Sept . to 
Dee. 9. the weeds after diving and one I grabbed in ray hands as it flew 
up out of the tall grass at my feet and getting tangled by the 
grass I caught it. They make a peculiar little squeaking note 
when caught and peck your fingers in quite a ferocious manner 
There was plenty of Virginia Rail on the ground but I saw only 
one Sora and a very fey/ more Yellow Rail. 
I could have shot any number of Black Rail every time I 
went but I didn't care to as it seemed like murder and I was 
1 
as much interested (and more so) in studying their habits as 
in shooting so I let them go. I thought at first this was a 
breeding ground and searched very carefully for old nests but 
< \oyv 1*1 $ toj 
could discover none but in this it didn't count as the nature 
A 
of the cover it would bo a miracle to find one. I noticed on 
ray last two trips a falling off in numbers at each visit until 
Dec. 9, ray last visit, there was not a single Black Rail to be 
found on the whole marsh and only two Virginias did I see so 
I concluded they had gone. 
They were in the same place July, 1S85 as 
a young friend of mine in San Rafael happened to be on the 
ground and shot two. ***/.*. He described them so I know they 
were the little fellov/s. ■*■*,*,& >- You will please say nothing 
47 
