to
the King Rail. It is found chiefly in fresh water swamps, where it
builds its nests in tufts of rushes. The eggs number from six to
fourteen, and are creamy white, or white, speckled with reddish brown.
Size 1.25 x .90 Data.--Fighting Island, Detroit River, Michigan, May 30,
1904. Nest made of marsh grass, in rushes, 6 inches above the water.
Collector, E. Leroy King.

213. SPOTTED CRAKE. _Porzana porzana._

This common European species is casually found in Greenland. It breeds
in large numbers throughout temperate Europe, nesting as do the American
Rails.

214. SORA. _Porzana carolina._

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the southern parts of the
British possessions, south to the Gulf coast.

This abundant species of Rail may be readily known by its small size,
about eight inches long, and the black face and throat of the adult.
These are the "Rail-birds" or "Ortolans" which are annually slaughtered
by thousands, for sport and marketing, during their fall migration. It
is only because of the large families that they rear, that they are able
to withstand this yearly decimation of their ranks. They nest either in
salt or fresh water marshes, making a rude structure of grass, weeds and
strips of rushes, on the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of grass
in a tangled swamp or marsh. During May, they lay from six to sixteen
eggs of a bright, buffy gray color, spotted with reddish brown and
lavender. Size 1.25 x .90.

[Illustration 135: Creamy white.]
[Illustration: Sora. Virginia Rail.]
[Illustration: Bright buff.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 134

215. Yellow Rail. _Coturnicops noveboracensis._

Range.--Locally distributed in temperate North America, from New England
and Nova Scotia, to California and British Columbia; south to the Gulf
States in winter.

This is a very handsome species, with plumage of glossy brown, yellowish
buff, black and white; length seven inches. They are very shy and
secretive, and are probably more common than generally supposed. Their
nesting habits are the same as those of the preceding. Their eggs are of
a rich buff color, speckled in the form of a wreath about the large end,
with reddish brown. They are relatively narrower than those of other
Rails. Size 1.10 x .80. Data.--Benson Co., North Dakota, June 4, 1901.
Set of ten eggs collected by Rev. P. B. Peabody. This set is in the
collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs.