264 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Family RALLID.E. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. 



Subfamily RALLIN.^. Rails. 



Genus RALLUS Linn. 



RALLUS ELEGANS AiuL 

 King Rail. 



Adult: Upper parts dark brown : tliroat white : breast reddish brown ; sides darker barred 

 with white; back and scapulars brownish margined with olive gray; wings and tail dull brown 

 or olive brown; wing coverts rufous brown. 



Length, 15.40; Wing. 6.55 ; Tarsus, 2.25 : Bill, 2.50. 



Rallus elegans. 



Kallus virginianus. 



This species inhabits the fresh water marshes of Eastern United States 

 from New Enghmd southward. 



It is not uncommon in Florida, where it breeds. The eggs are generally 

 from nine to twelve, pale brownish white, spotted with reddish brown. 



