88 



Economic Status. Its waste land habitat precludes its taking anything 

 of economic importance. Its food consists largely of insect life, marsh 

 seeds, and vegetable matter. 



214. Sora Rail, sora, railbird, Carolina rail. fr. — le rale de la Caroline. 

 Porzana Carolina. L, 8-50. Plate VII A. 



Distinctions. Distinguished from the Virginia Rail by its short conical bill (Figure 2.5, 

 p. 22) and general coloration; and from the Yellow Rail by larger size and coloration. 



Field Marks. Loose, dangling flight, as it rises from the grass, proclaims it a rail; 

 short bill, general coloration, and lack of white on wings are characteristic of the species. 



Nesting. On ground in wet marshes in nest of grass, etc. 



Distribution. Of considerably more northern distribution than the Virginia Rail, 

 but also ranging across the continent; breeding wherever found in Canada. 



In the early days of settlement the Sora Rail was a common game 

 bird ; but the draining of the swamps and the ease with which large bags 

 could at times be made by hunters, have greatly reduced its numbers. 

 On the tidal marshes of some of the Atlantic states it is still regularly 

 hunted in late autumn. This is, therefore, the best known of our rails and, 

 though its numbers are greatly diminished from those given in old travellers 

 accounts, it is still a moderately common bird. It does not need grounds 

 quite as extensive for its habitat as the King or the Virginia Rails and at 

 times the merest little slough will suffice a pair and their young for the 

 season. 



Economic Status. Not notably different from that of the Virginia 

 Rail. 



215. Yellow Rail. fr. — le rale jaune. Coturnicops noveboracensis . L, 7. A 

 smaller, short-billed rail, somewhat like the Sora. The coloration is also similar in effect, 

 but the underparts are overwashed with ochraceous and the back feathers are transversed 

 with a few fine white lines instead of being margined by them. It, also, has prominent 

 white wing-patches that are characteristic of the species. 



Distinctions. Distinguished from the Sora Rail by size and coloration. 

 Field Marks. Size and white wing-patches. 

 Nesting. On ground in damp edges of marshes, in nest of grass. 

 Distribution. More northern than the other rails, extending considerably beyond the 

 limits of present cultivation; breeding wherever found. 



This is the most expert of the Rails in skulking and hiding. As it is 

 almost impossible to flush it, it may be far more common than we have 

 reason to otherwise suspect. According to actual records, it is one of the 

 rarest birds in Canada. Its habits do not seem to differ much from those 

 of the other rails, except that it does not require as much water in its habitat 

 and is more often found on the shoreward, grassy sides of the marsh rather 

 than in the wet reedy locations. 



Subfamily — Gallinulinoe. Gallinules or Mud-hens. 



General Description. Rather large duck-Hke birds, but with long toes without webs 

 either partial or entire; conical bill extended on the forehead in a plate or frontal shield 

 (Figure 26, p. 22). 



Distinctions. Distinguished from the ducks by lack of webs, and by shape of bill; 

 and from the Coot by absence of toe lobes; otherwise quite closely resembles these. 



Field Marks. Round, duck-like shape of body; habit when swimming; general blue 

 or blue-grey coloration; red bill, and frontal shield; and long legs and toes of yellow or 

 green. 



