CLAPPER RAIL 
211. Rallus crepitans. 15 in. 
General color above olive-grayish, with no strong black 
markings; breast pale brown; flanks barred with gray 
and white. This species is found almost exclusively in 
salt marshes, where they skulk about like rats. During 
exceptionally high tides, when their hiding places are 
covered, many of them are killed by negroes and white 
men for food; they can swim, but usually run across 
the marsh, making use of blades of grass, sticks or 
whatever trash may be in their course, as stepping 
stones. 
Notes.—Loud and clacking like those of the King Rail. 
Nest.—Of grasses on the ground in salt marshes; 6 to 
14 buffy eggs, spotted with brown (1.70 x 1.20). 
Range.—Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast, north to 
Mass. The following subspecies are darker and very 
locally distributed. 21la, Louisiana Clapper (R. ¢. satu- 
ratus), coast of La. 211b, Scott Clapper (R. ¢. seotti), 
Gulf coast of Fla. 21le, Wayne Clapper (R. ce. waynei), 
134 east coast of Fla. to 8. C. 
