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Range (Temperate North America north)

"Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, northern Illinois, and Oregon; south to West Indies and in western South America to Chili" (A. O. U.). Probably breeds throughout its North America range. Washington, rare T. V., several in Sept. Long Island, rare T. V. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in marshes Eggs, ten, white, thinly sprinkled with reddish brown dots, more numerous at the larger end, 1.00 × 80 (Nelson, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, i, 1876, p. 43).

This bird is about as difficult to observe as a field mouse. e. It is said to prefer grassy meadows, where, like others of its family, it never flies when it can escape by running or hiding. It is apparently not common. The only description of its notes I know of is given by Mr. March, of Jamaica, who, as quoted by Dr. Brewer, writes its call as "chi-chi-cro-croo-croo, several times repeated in sharp, high-toned notes, so as to be audible to a considerable distance." The CORN CRAKE (217. Crex crex), a bird of Europe and northern Asia, is casual in Greenland, Bermudas, and eastern North America. It is about the size of a Clapper Rail, but has a bill no larger than that of the Sora. The RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. general color of the upper parts is between ochraceous-buff and cream-buff, the feathers with black centers; the wing-coverts and most of the quills are pale rufous; the breast is pale ochraceous-buff; the sides are the same, barred with white; the middle of the belly is white. 218. Ionornis martinica (Linn.). PURPLE GALLINULE. Ad.-Front of the crown with a bare bluish plumbeous plate; rest of the head and under parts rich dark purplish blue; under tail-coverts white; back shining olivegreen; wings light blue, tinged with greenish; bill carmine, tipped with pale greenish (in skins, reddish orange, tipped with yellowish); legs yellow. Im. -Upper parts more or less washed with brownish; under parts more or less mottled with white; plate on the head smaller; bill without orange-red. Downy young. -Glossy black, head with numerous white, hairlike feathers; base of the bill yellowish, end black. L., 13.00; W., 7.10; Tar., 2·40; B. from posterior margin of nostril, 80.