62 \ BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
FAMILY RALLID2. RAILS, GALLINULES AND COOTS 
208. Kine Ratt (Rallus elegans.) 
Rails are related to Cranes in general structure, but in 
appearance they are quite different, being much smaller in size. 
The King Rail is the largest of his tribe and measures about 
fifteen inches from tip of bill to end of tail. Neck and breast 
brown; back and wing: black and brown; sides and belly barred 
with brown and white. This bird breeds in the Mississippi River 
valley and east to the Atlantic coast, and is therefore considered 
a straggler in the eastern part of the State. 
212. Vireinia Rai (Rallus virginianus.) 
The plumage is similar to that of No. 208, but the bird is 
smaller, measuring only about nine inches; bill one and one half 
inches. This Rail is common and breeds in the eastern part of 
the State. An abandoned nest with eggs was found July 2, 1917, 
near Lake Preston. The Rails all make their home in wet, 
marshy places where there is a thick growth of sedges or rushes. 
They are fleet in the use of their legs but are not adapted to rapid 
flight. 
214. Sora (Porzana carolina.) 
Slightly smaller than No. 212. Bill three quarters of an 
inch in length; feathers at base of bill and on throat very dark 
brown or black; back streaked with brown, buff and white; un- 
der parts barred with gray and white. This beautiful Rail is 
more or less common over the State, nesting frequently in 
marshy places. 
219. Froria GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata.) 
Slightly smaller than the Coot. Head, neck and breast 
gray ; back brownish gray; belly barred with white. The crown 
plate is red; the feet are not lobed for swimming; and the legs 
and bill are smaller than those of the Coot. These birds are not 
nearly so abundant in South Dakota as the Coots but from their 
similarity in appearance doubtless the Coots and Gallinules are 
often confused. 
221. Coot (Fulica americana.) 
The Coots are a sort of connecting link between Ducks 
