i9i4 J Simmons, The Louisiana Clapper Rail. 363 



NOTES ON THE LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL {R ALIUS 

 CREPITANS SATURATUS) IN TEXAS. 



BY GEOKGE FINLAY SIMMONS. 



I. Introduction. 



My observations of the Louisiana Clapper Rail {Rallus crepitans 

 saturatus) have been of particular interest to me; and, as it seems 

 there is very little known of this race, it appears advisable to 

 publish the results of these observations in connection with a review 

 of the few published records of Clapper Rails from Texas, in order 

 to work out the range of the bird in that state. 



The Rails have always proved somewhat of a mystery, but I 

 did not realize how little was known of the nesting habits of the 

 family in general and of the Louisiana Clapper Rail in particular 

 until I began to search for information on the subject. My 

 observations by no means cover the complete life history of the 

 bird, and they are here given merely in the hope that they will 

 diffuse some light on the habits of a little known species. 



I wish to acknowledge my grateful indebtedness to Mr. E. F. 

 Pope of Colmesneil, Texas, for ready answers to my numerous 

 inquiries and for his field notes regarding the species under con- 

 sideration. Among the others who aided me I wish to mention 

 ]Mr. R. E. Farley of Port Aransas, Texas, and Mr. John M. Prior 

 of Corpus Christi, Texas. 



II. Previous Records. 



The first record of the Clapper Rail in Texas is that of the late 

 Mr. Geo. B. Sennett, who, in 1877 under the name Rallus longirostris 

 Bodd.,^ states that "A few of this species were seen about Galves- 

 ton Bay only, and a single bird obtained. 3- 9 -14 . 60X20 . 00X5.75 

 X2.50. Feb. 28, Galveston." The first number is that of the 



I Sennett, George B. Notes on the Ornithology of the Lower Rio Grande, from 

 observations made during the season of 1877. Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr., IV, 

 No. 1, 1878, p. 61. 



