312 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



The nest is usually concealed among the cat-tails of a marsh. If 

 this bird is found nesting in the Park it will probably be in such 

 areas in the Tunungwant Valley. It sits closely on its nest, with 

 bill pointing upward, so that the striped neck and long bill blend 

 with the reeds and cat-tails and make it difficult to see. 



Sora; Carolina Rail. Porzana Carolina (Linn.) 



This little bird, smaller than the Robin, can be identified by its 

 long neck and legs, large greenish yellow feet, olive-brown back, and 

 gray under parts, with a black mark on the chin and throat. The 

 heavy, labored flight, and the way in which it drops out of sight into 

 the reeds or grass are also characteristic. 



The Sora occurs in the cat-tail marshes of the Tunungwant Valley 

 where one was seen and several heard, July 24 and 27. It is a 

 difficult bird to detect when hiding among the cat-tails and it flies 

 only when closely approached. 



The voice of the Sora is rather high-pitched and squeaky. One 

 call has been written " kur-wee." Another is a longer call, the notes 

 descending in pitch, while a single short " kek " is sometimes heard. 



The nest is placed among the cat-tails or grasses of the marsh, 

 the bottom just above or sometimes in the water. The grasses 

 standing above the nest are often woven together, concealing it and 

 its contents effectually. It probably makes its home in the Tunung- 

 want Valley marshes where the nest or downy black young may 

 some day be found. 



BIRDS OF THE WATER MARGINS AND LOWLAND THICKETS 



The vicinity of streams and ponds is always attractive to birds. 

 Some birds live their entire lives in or about water. Others are at- 

 tracted thither from time to time for gleaning food, bathing or 

 drinking. Aquatic animals, insects or plants form the food of some 

 species. Flying insects gather more abundantly near water and at- 

 tract swallows and others. As a general rule bird life will always be 

 more abundant near water than elsewhere. 



In the Allegany Park the water resources consist of brooks (fig- 

 ure 89) and somewhat larger streams, and just outside of the Park, 

 the Allegheny River. The ecology of the stream margin is unusually 

 interesting because of the varied conditions. In general, we can 

 divide the bird life into two divisions, — birds that live along the 

 more open stream border, and birds that live in the thickets of 

 bushes, trees or vines that grow along the stream border. 



Birds of the Shoreline and Open Banks. The open stream 

 border consists of the shallow water along the shores, and the shores 

 themselves, whether stony or muddy bars, or steep clay banks. Vege- 

 tation is not so much the attraction here as the life in the water or 

 along the shore that furnishes food, and the nesting sites found 

 along the banks. 



In the Tunungwant Valley the stream is slower moving, with 

 more muddy shores. Near the stream occur bayous (figure 93), 



