KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 265 



RALLUS VIRQINIANUS Linn. 

 Virginia Rail. 



Adult: Having somewhat the appearance of a very small King Rail; upper parts are 

 dusky or blackish ; feathers edged with grayish brown ; wings brownish ; under parts dark rufous 

 brown; throat white ; lores ashy white, shading into gray on the cheeks ; flanks and under tail 

 coverts barred and spotted with white and black. 



Length, 9.40 ; Wing, 4.25 ; Tarsus, 1.35 ; Bill, 1.55. 



Ranges throughout North America from the British Provinces south to 

 Central America and Cuba. It breeds from New England northward on the 

 Atlantic coast, the nest being made of grass, and the eggs are six to twelve, 

 pale brownish white, spotted with reddish brown. 



RALLU5 LONQIROSTRIS CREPITANS {Gmel). 

 Clapper Rail. 



Adult : Upper parts dull olive : feathers edged with gray ; throat white ; breast pale grayish 

 brown ; rest of under parts grayish brown barred with white on the sides ; wing coverts cinna- 

 mon brown tinged with gray. 



Length, 14.75; Wing, 5.10; Tarsus, 2.10; Bill, 2.60. 



