FAMILY RALLIDAE 



349 



wing. Another was seen on this same occasion. Following this I 

 found these rails fairly common in the marshes bordering the 

 Chagres between Gamboa and Juan Mina, though to be seen only 

 with understanding of their habits. They seem to congregate in 

 small groups in limited areas, and in these are fairly common. In 

 early morning, soon after dawn, they often climb up in the top of 

 clumps of grass growing in the water, and rest there briefly in the 



Fig. 57. — Yellow-breasted rail, cocalequita enana, Porsana flaviventer flaviventer. 



early morning sun. And for an hour or so they may appear in little 

 open areas in the marsh, on muddy shores, or on floating water 

 plants, but then withdraw to heavy cover for the day. Again to- 

 ward sunset they may appear, but more briefly. The larger white- 

 throated rails, common in these same areas, may drive at them if they 

 approach closely, but the smaller species escapes readily, sometimes 

 running across the floating plants with flapping wings to keep from 

 sinking. None taken in January and February were in breeding 

 condition, though gonads were beginning to develop in some of the 

 males examined. Nothing is known of their nesting. 



