CAROLINA RAIL; SORA 
214. Porzana carolina. 8.5 in. 
Adults with the face and throat black. Young with 
no black on the head. This species is not apt to be 
confused with any, except, possibly, the Virginia Rail, 
which is somewhat larger, and always has the breast 
conspicuously cinnamon color. These birds are very 
abundant in nearly their whole range, but they are so 
secretive in their habits that their presence is often not 
noticed. Unless disturbed, they pass the greater por- 
tion of the day in slumber, and do most of their feeding 
after dusk, when their confused, clucking notes are 
heard all over the marshes. All of the rails have this 
habit of feeding chiefly at night, perhaps through fear 
of enemies during the day time, for they seem to be very 
timid birds. 
Notes.—A rapid clucking, “ kuk, kuk, kuk,” ete 
Nest.—A rude structure of grass and rushes on the 
ground in either salt or fresh marshes; 6 to 16 buff 
colored eggs with reddish brown specks. 
Range.—Breeds in the northern half of the U. 8. and 
136 northwards; winters in the southern half. 
