264 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



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



Subfamily RALLIN.^. Rails. 



. Genus RALLUS Linn. 



RALLU5 ELEQANS At/d. 

 King Rail. 



Adult: Llpper parts dark brown ; throat white : breast reddish brown ; sides dar]<er 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 : liill, 2.50. 



Rallus elegans. 



Rallus virginianus 



This species inhabits the fresh water marshes of Eastern United States 

 from New England 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. 



