136 



CAROLINA RAIL; SORA 



214. Porzana Carolina, 8.5 in. 



Adults with the face and throat black. Young with 

 no black on the head. This species is not apt to be 

 confused with any, except, possibly, the Virginia Rail, 

 which is somewhat larger, and always has the breast 

 conspicuously cinnamon color. These birds are very 

 abundant in nearly their whole range, but they are so 

 secretive in their habits that their presence is often not 

 noticed. Unless disturbed, they pass the greater por- 

 tion of the day in slumber, and do most of their feeding 

 after dusk, when their confused, clucking notes are 

 heard all over the marshes. All of the rails have this 

 habit of feeding chiefly at night, perhaps through fear 

 of enemies during the daytime, for they seem to be very 

 timid birds. 



Notes. A rapid clucking, " kuk, kuk, kuk," etc. 



Nest. A rude structure of grass and rushes on the 

 ground in either salt or fresh marshes; 6 to 16 buff 

 colored eggs with reddish brown specks. 



Range. Breeds in the northern half of the U. S. and 

 northwards; winters in the southern half. 



