CLAPPER RAIL, OR MUD-HEN, 225 



requires but an indifferent shot to bring them down. "We have 

 killed these Fowls often when in pursuit of other Coast Birds, 

 on the marshes about Cape May and Cape Henlopen, but never 

 thought it worth while to go a foot out of our way to procure 

 them, as they are at the best but an unsavory dish for the table; 

 and we trust that we have never encouraged a disposition to 

 take animal life from the mere love of destruction, or perhaps 

 to gratify a morbid taste to make a great display by the mag- 

 nitude of our game-bag. 



DESCRIPTION. 



" The Clapper Kail measures fourteen inches in length, and 

 eighteen in extent ; the bill is two inches and a quarter long, 

 slightly bent, pointed, grooved, and of a reddish-brown color; 

 iris of the eye dark red ; nostril oblong, pervious; crown, neck, 

 and back black, streaked with dingy brown; chin and line over 

 the eye brownish- white; auricular dusky; neck before, and 

 whole breast, of the same red-brown as that of the preceding 

 species; wing coverts dark chestnut; quill feathers plain dusky; 

 legs reddish-brown ; flanks and vent black tipped, or barred 

 with white. The males and females are nearly alike. 



" The young Birds of the first year have the upper parts of 

 an olive brown, streaked with pale slate ; wings pale brown 

 olive ; chin and part of the throat white ; breast ash color, 

 tinged with brown ; legs and feet a pale horn color." 



15 



