236 FEATHERED GAIIE 



have less of the nerve-racking intensity which 

 makes the chief charm of a rough and tumble 

 with a ''grizzly.'- 



The Sora, the rail to the great number of 

 gunners, is about nine inches long and in wing- 

 spread about fourteen inches. The adult birds, 

 both male and female, are marked as follows: 

 upper parts a greenish brown, mottled with 

 black; many of the feathers having a fine edg- 

 ing of white. The bill, short, thick and stout, 

 of greenish yellow color; a black mask on the 

 face; cheeks, throat, breast and under parts a 

 dull ashy blue, lightening towards the lower 

 parts. Flanks barred with black and white, the 

 colors becoming more pronounced toward the 

 crissum. The young birds in the fall are simi- 

 larly marked, but in less decided colors, having 

 a reddish or buffy shade on the neck and breast, 

 and a gray or whitish patch on the throat. 

 These have no trace of the black mask on the 

 face. 



The Sora Eail is usually introduced to the 

 epicure in the form of a pie, and it is in this 

 stage that it makes the best showing, for its 

 flesh is tender and of delicate flavor. A rail 



