MARSH BIRDS 105 



often in shallow water, but built so high as not to interfere 

 with incubation. Only two buffy brown, blotched eggs are 

 laid. 



In April and May, during the mating and nesting 

 season, the cranes give vent to their feelings of passion in 

 a most hilarious manner. The males indulge in perform- 

 ances not unlike an Indian war dance, flapping the wings 

 and jumping into the air, alternately landing on first one 

 foot and then the other. During the excitement the females 

 participate and the show continues until the birds cease 

 from utter exhaustion. They also have a soaring, circhng, 

 croaking flight, at a great elevation. So loud is this croak 

 that it may be heard after the birds have passed from sight. 



KING RAIL 



The King Rail, or ISIarsh Hen, breeds from northern 

 Missouri to southern Connecticut, strays farther north, win- 

 tering in Virginia and Kentucky, south. 



This largest of fresh-water rails inhabits the reedy mar- 

 gins of bayous, ponds, and inland marshes. East, south, 

 and west of the Great Lakes region it is replaced by vari- 

 ous forms of the clapper rail. The male and female are 

 similar in plumage, while the young are covered with 

 jet black down. The bodies of the rails are compressed, 

 enabling the owner readily to pass through tangled vege- 

 tation, for which the feet and legs are remarkably well 

 adapted, as with widespread toes they traverse the bogs 

 and impenetrable swamps and quagmires with an imequaled 

 agility, taking wing as the last resort. 



