236 FEATHERED GAME 



have less of the nerve-racking intensity which 

 makes the chief charm of a rough and tumble 

 with a " grizzly. '- 



The Sora, the rail to the great number of 

 gunners, is about nine inches long and in wing- 

 spread about fourteen inches. The adult birds, 

 both male and female, are marked as follows: 

 upper parts a greenish brown, mottled with 

 black; many of the feathers having a fine edg- 

 ing of white. The bill, short, thick and stout, 

 of greenish yellow color; a black mask on the 

 face; cheeks, throat, breast and under parts a 

 dull ashy blue, lightening towards the lower 

 parts. Flanks barred with black and white, the 

 colors becoming more pronounced toward the 

 crissum. The young birds in the fall are simi- 

 larly marked, but in less decided colors, having 

 a reddish or buffy shade on the neck and breast, 

 and a gray or whitish patch on the throat. 

 These have no trace of the black mask on the 

 face. 



The Sora Rail is usuall}^ introduced to the 

 epicure in the form of a pie, and it is in this 

 stage that it makes the best showing, for its 

 flesh is tender and of delicate flavor. A rail 



