100 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



210. Rallus obsoletus Ridgw. [570.] 



California Clapper Rail. 



Hab. Salt marshes of the Pacific coast from Lower California to Oregon. 



Mr. Bryant regards this Rail as abundant, at all seasons of the 

 year, on the salt marshes of Oakland, San Mateo, and other marshes 

 that are partially covered by the highest tides, at which times the birds 

 are remarkably tame. They swim well, and when wounded and closely 

 pursued they dive and hold on to the marsh grass beneath the water to 

 keep from rising. They commence breeding in April, selecting a high 

 piece of marsh ground, usually on the bank of a slough. 



The nest is composed wholly of dry marsh grass, loosely laid to- 

 gether. The bird deposits eight or nine eggs, of a light, creamy buff, 

 spotted, often blotched, with reddish-brown and lavender markings, the 

 latter color appearing as if beneath the shell. Of some thirty-six spec- 

 imens examined, all have markings more numerous at the larger end ; 

 on some the lavender predominates. A set of eight, taken at San 

 Mateo, April 24th, contained small embryos. They measure respect- 

 ively 1. 70x1.25, 1.73x1.23, 1.75x1.23, 1.77x1.23, 1.68x1.23, 1.70X 

 1.22, 1.63x1.26, 1.69x1.24. The average size of thirteen eggs is 1.71X 

 1.24.* 



In the marshes of San Francisco Bay Mr. Emerson took eggs of 

 this Rail in April, May and June, one set containing seven eggs. 



211. Rallus longirostrls crepitans (Gmel.) [571.] 



Clapper Rail. 



Hab. Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast of the United States, from New Jersey southward; resident 

 from the Potomac southward. Coast of Louisiana. 



The Clapper Rail, or Salt-water Marsh Hen, is an abundant bird in 

 the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward. 

 Breeds in profusion and is the most abundant aquatic bird in the 

 marshes from the Carolinas to Florida. It has lately been found breed- 

 ing on the coast of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico, Dr. A. K. Fisher 

 having taken an old bird and two young at Grand Isle, in 1886. 

 Mr. S. C. Shick, of Sea Isle City, states that the Clapper Rail arrives 

 on the southeastern coast of New Jersey about the last of April ; their 

 presence is made known by harsh cries at early dawn and at sunset. 

 Nest building is commenced in the latter part of May, and by the first 

 of June the full complement of eggs is laid, ranging from six to nine or 

 ten in number, thirteen being the largest set he ever obtained from any 

 nest. Further south this bird is known to lay as many as fifteen, this 

 number, however, being uncommon. On Cobb's Island, Va., the Clapper 

 Rail breeds in great numbers, carefully concealing the nest in high grass; 



*Bull. Nutt. Club, V, p 124. 



