Birds of Canada. 93 



Sub-Family RALLIN^:. The Rails. 

 Rallus elegans. The Marsh Hen. 



The Marsh Hen occasionally visits Canada in 

 the spring and autumn. Upper parts, olive- 

 brown ; underneath, chestnut. 



R. crepitans. The Clapper Rail. 



The Clapper Rail is a summer resident of 

 Canada. Color, above, light ashy-olive ; neck 

 and breast, tawny ; abdomen and sides, brownish- 

 black. Nests, on the ground, in or near a marsh ; 

 eggs, seven, of a creamy-drab color. 



R. virginianus. The Virginia Rail. 



This species visits Canada in the spring, and 

 remains until September. Upper parts, olive- 

 brown, with stripes of brownish-black ; throat, 

 white ; breast, bright rufous. Nests, in low 

 meadows ; eggs, eight, of a deep buff color. 

 Food consists of insects and worms. 



Porzana Carolina. The Carolina Rail. 



The Carolina Rail arrives in Canada about the 

 tenth of April, and frequents the marshes and 

 meadows. Upper parts, greenish-brown, with 

 bands of black ; the sides of the neck and breast, 

 bluish-ash ; bill, greenish-yellow ; legs, green. 

 Nests, on the ground ; eggs, eight in number, of 



