about our mountain lakes. (260. Phalaropus hyperboreus; 261. P. fulicarius; 261. P. Wilsonii?)

The American Gallinule (263. Gallinula galeata) is a marsh bird, allied to the Rails, about fourteen inches long, and olive-colored above; head, neck and body gray; bill and eye red; legs greenish yellow. They are not so common here as in the southern Atlantic States. Like the following larger Rails, they are often called Marsh-hens.

The Greater, or King-Rail, (264. Rallus elegans), is common in the fresh or brackish marshes of this State, as well as across this continent. They are killed for market in large numbers, and considered good food, although inferior to the smaller species. They measure eighteen or nineteen inches in length, and weigh one to one and a half pounds.

The Clapper-Rail, (265. Rallus crepitans), is a very similar, but smaller species, frequenting only the salt marshes. It is fourteen or fifteen inches long, and weighs eight or ten ounces.

The Virginia Rail (266. Rallus Virginianus) is like a miniature of the first, and is also found throughout the United States in similar places. They measure nine to ten and a half inches, and are very good eating, but not anywhere numerous.

The Carolina Rail, or Sora (267. Porzana Carolina), is smaller than the last, and with a black stripe from the crown of the head down the throat to the breast (wanting in the female), back brown, grayish beneath. In the Atlantic States it is a favorite game-bird, but has not yet become so here, where so many larger birds are common.

The Yellow Rail (268. Porzana Noveboracensis) still smaller, is also found across the continent, but more rarely obtained, and not of much interest.

The Black, or Jamaica Rail (269. Porzana Jamaicensis) is a curious species, little larger than a sparrow, beautifully dotted with white. It rarely flies, but creeps through the long marsh-grasses, and is rarely obtained except when driven out by high tides or caught by a dog.

The American Coot (270. Fulica Americana), often called Mud-hen, is a slaty-blue, duck-like bird, very numerous throughout the United States, but not much eaten, though chiefly a vegetable eater. They are, therefore, very tame and unsuspicious, frequenting every pond and marsh at times. They weigh about a pound, have shorter necks and legs than the Rails, and are remarkable for having broad lobes, like webs, along the edges of the toes, enabling them to swim as well as run, thus forming a link with the Water Birds.

WATER BIRDS.

ORDER NATATORES-SWIMMERS.

Of these we have nearly ninety species, most of them found only on or near the salt waters. They are all connected together by the fact of being web-footed, although this does not form a natural division. any more than it would among Mammals.

The Swans are of two species, the first a third larger than the other, but are nearly alike in their snowy plumage. A few are killed every winter as far south as San Francisco. They are not considered equal to the geese for the table. (271. Cygnus buccinator; 272. C. Americanus.) The latter only is found on the Atlantic side.

The Snow Geese are also of two species, differing chiefly in size, and are both white with black quills. The first and larger kind is numerous in the colder months, both along the coast and inland, but they are not considered so good for the table as the brant. (273. Anser hyperboreus; 274. A. albatus.)

The Black-bellied Goose (275. Anser Gambellii) is a gray species with reddish bill and orange feet. It is less aquatic than the rest, feeding more on grass, and probably the best of all for the table. They weigh four to five pounds, and are more common here than near the Atlantic.

The Canada Goose, or Brant (276. Bernicla Canadensis) is a large species, often tamed, and well known in captivity by the white patch on its cheeks. It is commoner toward the north and eastward, but rarely seen on salt water, and is the largest of our species, often weighing seven pounds. Some are believed to nest about our mountain lakes. Hutchins' Brant (277. Bernicla Hutchinsii) is like a miniature of the last, having even the white patch on each side of the head, and is much more common here, while the case is reversed on the Atlantic coast. It is of about the same size and weight as the Anser Gambelii. The Ring-necked Brant (275. Bernicla leucopareia) is a very similar species, with a white ring around the base of its neck, and probably a visitor here from Asia, being rare.

The Black Brant (279. Bernicla nigricans) is entirely black, except the rump, and a narrow ring round the middle of the neck. It is entirely a salt-water species while here, living on grasses, etc., in the bays, not often killed, and very rare along the Atlantic coast. It is much smaller than the last.

The Tree-Goose, (280. Dendrocygna fulva), unlike most of the others,

is a southern species, visiting us in summer, and breeding in small numbers on the interior marshes. They resemble long-legged brown ducks, and are of the size of the Mallard.

The Mallard (281. Anas boschas) is numerous at all seasons, and well known as the origin of the domestic duck, common on both continents.

The Pintail (282. Dafila acuta) is abundant in winter on the fresh waters and bays, and is one of the best species for eating. This also is common around the northern hemisphere.

The Green-winged Teal (283. Nettion Carolinensis) is abundant in the colder months throughout North America, and though small, is considered as good eating as any. It scarcely differs from the European species. The Cinnamon Teal (284. Querquedula cyanoptera) is a beautiful species, the male mahogany red, with blue wings. It is common in this State, and in South America, but only a straggler on the eastern slope.

The Shoveler (285. Spatula clypeata) is a common winter species throughout the northern hemisphere, and some breed within our limits. They are about half the weight of the Mallard. The Gadwall (286. Chaulelesmus streperus) is another middle sized duck found throughout the Northern hemisphere. Like the last, they are chiefly fresh water species and good food. The American Widgeon (287. Mareca Americana) is of similar size, with a white patch on the head, from which it is often called Baldpate. It is chiefly a North American species. The European Widgeon (288. Mareca Penelope) is not uncommon here, but merely as a straggler. It is similar in size, but has a brownish head.

The Wood, or Summer Duck (289. Aix sponsa), is a beautiful species, common in summer throughout the United States, living chiefly in woods and building in hollow trees. The male's plumage is too varied for description here, but it is notable for having a long crest, and is often seen stuffed in museums.

Our other ducks are more fond of salt water bays, although most of them are also found inland. They are considered generally inferior for the table, unless we except the famous Canvass-back. The three first are common to the whole Northern hemisphere, the rest only occasionally found in the Old World, though others very like some of them occur there. The three first and four last are exclusively marine and not much eaten.

The Harlequin Duck (290. Histrionicus torquatus) is so called from the bizarre pattern of its beautiful plumage. It visits our northern coast in winter, but is rare. The Old Wife, South Southerly or Long

tail (291. Harelda glacialis) is a duck of middle size, plain plumage, and gets its second name from its peculiar cry. It visits us with the last. The Big Black Head (292. Fulix marila), and Little Black Head (293. Fulix affinis), also called Scaup Ducks and Broad-bills (as is the Shoveller), are nearly alike in plumage, and found plentifully in muddy creeks in winter. The last is peculiar to America. The Ringneck (294. Fulix collaris) is more of an inland species, and like the last, rather fishy.

The Red-head and Canvass-back Ducks are so nearly alike in plumage, that the former is often sold for the latter, but may be distinguished by its light blue bill, lower part of neck more widely banded with black, smaller size, etc. There is, however, little difference in their flavor after all. The female of the first is entirely brown, of the last whitish, waved with black; head, neck and breast brownish. (295. Aythya Americana; 296. A. valisneriana. The Golden-eye (297. Bucephala Americana) is a handsome species, and pretty good eating. The Buffel-head, Butter Duck, or Spirit Duck (298. Bucephala albeola), is a common little species, found with the preceding everywhere in winter, very handsome, and usually very fat. The Ruddy Duck, or Dun Bird (299. Erismatura rubida) is reddish-brown, top of head black, cheeks and chin white. The female is blackish-brown, dotted with white. It is a winter duck, most common in fresh water, and considered fair eating.

The four next species are usually confounded under the names of Surf-Ducks, Velvet Ducks, Scoters, and Coots. They never go inland, live on fish, and are scarcely eatable. Their plumage is black, with white patches on the head or wings, or variously colored bills, which distinguish them. The females are mostly sooty brown. (300. Pelionetta perspicillata; 301. P. Trowbridgii; 302. Melanetta velvetina; 303. Oidemia Americana.)

The Shell-drakes, Saw-bills, Goosanders, or Mergansers, differ from the ducks in having narrow bills with sharp teeth along the edge. They live only on fish, and are scarcely ever eaten. They are, however, very beautiful in plumage. The first two have green heads, black and white backs, and salmon or buff breasts; the females are gray with red crested heads. The third species is called Hooded, from expanded black and white feathers on the head; in the female the black is replaced by brown. They are partial to swift running streams, and the two last are found around the Northern hemisphere. (304. Mergus Americanus; 305. M. serrator; 306. Lophodytes cucullatus.)

The remaining water-birds are exclusively fish eaters and scarcely

ever eaten, unless when young, though the eggs of some are much used. They must be disposed of more briefly than the ducks.

The Pelicans are of two species, the white and gray, the first chiefly found on fresh water, the last on salt, and both abound here in the colder months, as well as near the Atlantic. They are curious and interesting birds, but uneatable. (307. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus; 308. P. fuscus). The Frigate Pelican, or Man-of-War-Bird, (309. Tachypetes aquilus) is occasionally found along the southern half of our coast, as well as in all tropical regions.

Our Cormorants are of three or four species. The first is largest, and found throughout the United States on rivers and sea-shores at all seasons. The others are confined to the rocky coast and islands of the eastern Pacific ocean. They are black, with more or less beautiful tints of green and purple, white patches, etc. (310. Graculus dilophus ; 311. G. penicillatus; G. violaceus? 312. G. Bairdii).

The Short-tailed Albatross (313. Diomedea brachyura) is white with black quills, the young for some years more or less sooty-black, and is one of our largest birds. It is confined to the North Pacific. Length, 3 feet; extent, 98 inches.

The Gigantic Fulmar (314. Ossifraga gigantea) is about the same size, brownish and white, and wanders far at sea over the Pacific Ocean, feeding on dead whale meat, or other similar food, and rarely approaching the land.

Two smaller Fulmars are found near the coast, and live by attacking gulls in the air, obliging them to disgorge, and catching the half digested food as it falls. They are the vultures of the sea. (315. Fulmarus pacificus, and 316. F. tenuirostris). Their plumage is so much like that of the gulls that they easily approach them unnoticed, but their bills are hooked. The Shearwaters are very similar, but obtain their food by skimming off small fish, floating oil, etc., from the waves, and keep off several miles from the coast. They are plain gray, brown, or black and white birds, and should be called puffins, though this name is usually applied to the sea-parrots. (317. Priofinus cinereus; 318. Puffinus creatopus; 319. P. fuliginosus).

The Petrels, or "Mother Carey's chickens," are occasionally seen along the southern half of our coast, and the first named also northward. This is a gray species; the second black; the third black with a white rump, and the only one found in both oceans. They feed like the last, and follow ships to pick up what is thrown over, as do the Albatross and Puffins at times. (320. Oceanodroma furcata; 321. Cymochorea homochroa; 322. Oceanites oceanica.)