(_Carolina Rail._—+Wils.+)
_Ortygometra Carolina._
_Rallus Carolinus_, +Linn.+—Aud. pl. 233.
_Ortygometra Carolina_, +Leach+.
[115] Length 9 inches, expanse 13³⁄₄, flexure 3⁹⁄₁₀, tail 1⁸⁄₁₀,
rictus ⁹⁄₁₀, tarsus 1¹⁄₂, middle toe 1³⁄₄.
The only specimen of this bird that I possess was shot among the reeds
in Salt Spring morass, near Black River, the habitation of incredible
numbers of these and similar birds. It was near the end of November.
Though it slightly differs from Wilson’s description, in the buff
hue of the vent being scarcely noticeable, I conclude that it is of
his species; the rather, since Mr. Hill has procured a specimen from
Passage Fort, in which the buff hue was conspicuous. His specimen was
obtained in March. It is probably a winter visitant from the United
States, where Wilson describes it as an abundant species.
In the stomach of that which I dissected, I found only mud and coarse
siliceous sand.
Le petit Râle de Cayenne of Buffon, (Pl. enl. 817) is probably a female
of this species.