378 Simmons, The Louisiana Clapper Rail. [jiily 



evidence in the immediate vicinity of the nest. Nest No. 2 con- 

 tained five fresh eggs, which were later destroyed by some animal, 

 either raccoon, mink or opossum, as tracks of all three animals were 

 in evidence. The eggs were so badly broken up that I could not 

 ascertain how many the nest contained when robbed, as I did not 

 visit it again until May 2nd. 



"On May 2nd a new nest was discovered, about two hundred 

 yards from the above site. It was on the same bayou as the/ two 

 last described nests and was built of marsh grass blades, on the 

 ground amid thick grass stems, and contained two fresh eggs. 



" On May 9th I took a set of ten eggs from this last nest. The 

 majority of the eggs were fresh while a few showed signs of incu- 

 bation. On this date two more nests were located, the first con- 

 taining a set of eight eggs, incubation about one-fifth; nest of 

 marsh grass blades in slight hollow in thick marsh grass on bank 

 of bayou. This nest was of rather poor structure as compared 

 with some others found, being quite flat and rather loosely put 

 together, what there was of it. 



"May 12th, my wife found nest on bank of pond near the Point. 

 It was in thick marsh grass and composed of dry blades of marsh 

 grass, built up about eight inches. It contained one egg, which 

 three days later was found lying on the ground about two feet from 

 the nest and broken in the manner of the others mentioned pre- 

 viously. 



" May 15th I found a nest with seven fresh eggs; visited the nest 

 on the 18th to find it deserted and no sign of eggs. 



"May 26th the first young were observed, as they crossed a 

 small open glade among weeds and bushes growing near the con- 

 crete wall of the Fort Crockett reservation, which is situated near 

 the extreme point of the peninsula. There appeared to be at least 

 eight young in this lot, and they were quite black and quite lively, 

 easily evading my attempts to catch them. At later dates at 

 least four other flocks of young in different stages of development 

 were observed, but I never was able to secure any of the young." 



Mr. Farley says that the nests in the vicinity of Harbor Island 

 consist of reeds and tall marsh grass, and frequently the reeds and 

 tall grass surrounding the nest are drawn together as though the 

 tops had been platted or tangled so as to make a snug shelter from 

 rain and sun. 



