402 



RALLUS ELEGANS (Audubon). 



THE KING RAIL. 



Specific Gharactar. — Above yellowish olive or ochraceous drab very con- 

 spicuously and sharply striped with black, crown dark brown ; supra loral streak 

 of brownish white, continued to the occiput in a broader stripe of brownish gray ; 

 lores and sub-orbital region brownish gray or dull brownish, chin and throat 

 white, remainder of head and neck including jugulum and breast, light cinnamon ; 

 flanks and sides dark brownish or blackish dusky barred with white, the white 

 bars averaging about 10-15 of an inch in width, the interspaces more than 

 twice as wide ; crissum mixed dusky and white ; abdomen lighter than the breast ; 

 back generally umber brown with darker stripes down the middle of each feather ; 

 lower mandible and edges of upper brownish yellow, ridge of upper and tips 

 of both deep brown ; iris, bright red ; feet yellowish brown tinged with olive, 

 claws of the same colour. Total length 17 inches. 



Habitat. — Fresh water marshes of the eastern States and southern Ontario. 



This bird is considered by sportsmen generally as quite equal for the table 

 to the Sora Rail, besides being much larger. It is not so plentiful, but has the 

 same habits, living in thick marshes and rarely taking to wing. It feeds on 

 insects, crayfish, tadpoles, seeds, etc. 



