North American Birds Eggs. 

 [2 13.] Spotted Crake. I'luzaita jKirziiiid. 



105 



This foniHKin European sjiecie-s is casually found in (irccnlaml. It liret-ds in 

 large numbers throutihout temperate Europe, nesting as do the Anieriean Rails. 



2(4. Carolina Rail;Sora. PorziUKt (■((rdlhut. 



Range.— Temjjerate North Auieriea, breeding from the south -m put- 

 British possessions, s )Uth to th.» (4ulf coast. 



This abundant species of Rail may lie reatlily known 

 by its small size, about 8 inches long, and the black 

 face and throat of the adult. 'Jliese are the "Rail- 

 birds'" or "Ortolans'" wiiich are annually slauglitered • 

 by thousands, for sport anil marketing, during their ^ '•»» • 

 fall migration. It is only because of the large fami- 

 lies that they rear, that they are able to withstand 

 this yearly decimation in 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 

 During May, they lay from six to sixteen eggs of a briglit, 

 spotted with reddish brown and laventler. Size 1.25 x .9(1. 



the 



2 15. Yellow Rail. Forzaiui iiorrhorai-in^^i^i. 



Range. — Locally ilistributetl in temperate North America, from New England 

 and Nova Scotia, to California and Britisli Columbia; south to the Gulf States 

 in winter. 



This is a very handsome species, Mith plumage of 

 glossy brown, yellowish buff, black and white; length 

 7 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, 

 June4,1901. Set of ten eggs collected by Rev. P. B. Peabody. 

 This tine set is in the collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs. 



[Rich buff. 



it 



%iy' 



2 16. Black Rail. Porzaiid jdinaircnsi-s. 



Range.— Temperate North America, breeding from north- 

 ern United i^tates southward. 



Smallest of the Rails; 5 inches in length. A dark slatv 

 colored bird with white specks, and a patch of dark chest- 

 nut on the fore back. This diminutive species is very hard 

 to find because of its retiring habits, but according to 

 Mr. Brewster it may be located by the clicking sound of its 

 sone:. 



.fit- 



