134 



CLAPPER RAIL 



211. Rallus crepitans. 15 in. 



General color above olive-grayish, with no strong black 

 markings; breast pale brown; flanks barred with gray 

 and white. This species is found almost exclusively in 

 salt marshes, where they skulk about like rats. During 

 exceptionally high tides, when their hiding places are 

 covered, many of them are killed by negroes and white 

 men for food; they can swim, but usually run across 

 the marsh, making use of blades of grass, sticks or 

 whatever trash may be in their course, as stepping 

 stones. 



Notes. Loud and clacking like those of the King Rail. 



Nest. Of grasses on the ground in salt marshes; 6 to 

 14 buffy eggs, spotted with brown (1.70x1.20). 



Range. Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast, north to 

 Mass. The following subspecies are darker and very 

 locally distributed. 21 la, Louisiana Clapper (R. c. satii- 

 ratus), coast of La. 211b, Scott Clapper (R. c. scotti), 

 Gulf coast of Fla. 211c, Wayne Clapper (R. c. waynei), 

 east coast of Fla. to S. C. 



