96 
ZOOLOGY. 
poured my whole charge right and left into them, knocking out feathers, perhaps, but not 
killing the bird, which, in defiance of all my hopes and expectations, would carry off my shot 
to such a distance that I could not follow him, even did I know he would never rise again. 
Here, as elsewhere, I found these birds confined to the vicinity of the “sage bushes,” from 
under which they are usually sprung. 
A few days later, on the shores of Wright and Rhett lakes, we found them very abundant, 
and killed all we cared to. A very fine male which I killed there was passed by nearly the 
whole party within thirty feet in open ground. I noticed him as soon, perhaps, as he saw us, 
and waited to watch his movements. As the train approached he sank down on the ground, 
depressing his head, and lying as motionless as a stick or root, which he greatly resembled. 
After the party had passed, I moved toward him, when he depressed his head till it rested on the 
ground, and evidently made himself as small as possible. He did not move till I had approached 
to within fifteen feet of him, when he arose and I shot him. He was in fine plumage, and 
weighed over five pounds. We continued to meet with the sage hen, whenever we crossed sage 
plains, till we reached the Columbia. 
To the westward of the Cascade Range this bird probably does not exist, as all its habits and 
preferences seem to fit it for the occupancy of the sterile and anhydrous region of the central 
desert. Its flesh is dark and, particularly in old birds, highly flavored with wormwood, which 
to most persons is no proof of excellence. The young bird, if parboiled and stewed, is very 
good ; but, as a whole, this is inferior for the table to any other species of American grouse. 
GALLINULA GALEATA. 
Gallinule. 
I saw this bird but on one occasion, at San Francisco, and that in the month of November. 
FULICA AMERICANA. 
The Coot. 
Abundant in all parts of Oregon and California, where it is a constant resident. 
RALLUS ELEGANS. 
King Rail. 
Very common in the marshes bordering San Francisco and San Pablo bays, in California. At 
Petaluma they are very numerous, and called “mud hens.” During the game season they are 
always to be found in the California market. 
RALLUS VIRGINIANUS. 
Virginia Rail. 
This little rail is common along the smaller streams throughout California and Oregon. 
We saw it first at Vacaville, a few miles above Benicia, and subsequently in many localities 
northward. I also received a specimen from Lieutenant Trowbridge, U. S. A., killed at Cape 
Flattery, Washington Territory. 
