144 
1875. 
Porzana Carolina. 
Middlesex County, Mass. 
May 11.} Swarming in the Fresh Pond swamps. Purdie compared 
their cackling to the sound of a watchman’s rattle turn¬ 
ed slowly. 
June 1. 
During a thorough search in the Fresh Pond marshes 
started only one bird. It rose with ease instantly 
drawing up its legs, and flying nearly as fast as a Snipe 
crossed the broadest part of the meadow before alighting 
The day was clear and fine. 
“ 10. 
Heard and saw numbers but could find no nests. 
A recent rain has flooded the swamps. 
- 26. 
One in the meadow belovf the reservoir calling cutter. 
cu.t_teT, qua, qua: or sometimes, cut, ouar, auar. 
This harsh and somewhat vibrating termination to the ordi¬ 
nary cackle is new to me. 
July 28, Shot two young in fall plumage; they were full 
grown and flew well. 
Aug. 10, 
I think that most, if not all have left the Fresh 
Pond marshes, as I hunted for them carefully to-day with¬ 
out finding a single bird. 
• 24. 
I do not believe there is a single Rail of either 
species left in the swamps. 
Oct. 7, 
Pour in the Fresh Pond swamps. My setter pointed 
them all steadily. 
“ 11. 
Shot two in a pond hole in the fields near Fresh 
Pond. 
1876. 
Apr, 30. 
Nesbitt found them abundant in the Fresh Pond swamps 
this morning. 
May 11. 
Abundant in the Fresh Pond swamps this morning. 
Sept,11, 
Literally swarming in Bird’s Pond. Every minute 
or two one would flit up over the tops of the trees and 
alight again and the plash of a stone thrown among the 
reeds was invariably followed by their sharp cries. 
1881. 
Sept,24. 
Six or eight seen by Spelraan in ditches in the Fresh 
Pond marshes. 
“ 27. 
Started several in tall grass on perfectly dry mea¬ 
dows, One alighted in a button bush, another on a 
s tump, 
