North American Birds Eggs. 

 [2 13.] Spotted Crake. Porzana porznna. 



105 



This pomnidii European species is casually fuund in Greenland. It breeils in 

 large numbers throughuut temperate Europe, nesting as do the American Rails. 



2 14. Carolina Rail;Sora. Parzann ramlina. 



Range.— Temperate North America, breeding innn the southern pirts of the 

 British possessions, south to tha Gulf coast. 



This abundant species of Rail may be readily known ^r. . »- :,j:,,, 



by its small size, about 8 inches long, and the black / 



face and throat of the adult. These are the "Rail- - . " • 



birds" or "Ortidans" which are annually slaughtered 

 by thousands, for sport and marketing, during their 

 fall migration. It is only because of the large fami- 

 lies that they rear, that they are able to withstantl 

 this yearly decimation in their ranks. The}' nest 

 either in salt or fresh water marshes, making a rude 

 structure of grass, weeds and strips of rushes, on the 

 ground, generally concealed in a tuft of grass in a tangled 

 During May, they lay from six to sixteen eggs of a bright, 

 spotted with reddish brown and lavender. Size 1.25 x .90. 



ht buff.J 



swamp or marsh, 

 huffy gray color. 



2 I 5. Yellow Rail. Piirzana noveborareiiHia. 



Range. — Locally distributed in temperate North America, from New England 

 and Nova Scotia, to California and British Columbia; south to the Gulf States 

 in winter. 



This is a very handsome species, with plumage of 

 glossy brown, yellowish buff, tdack and white; length 

 7 inches. They are very shy and secretive, and are 

 probal)Iy more common than generally supposed. Their 

 nesting habits are the same as those of the preceding. 

 Their eggs are of a rich buff color, speckled in the form 

 of a wreath about the large end, with reddish brown. 

 They are relatively narrower than those of other Rails. 

 Size 1.10 X .80. Data. — Benson Co., North Dakota, 

 June 4, 1901. Setof ten eggs collected by Rev. P. B. Peabody. 

 This tine set is in thecollecticjnof Mr. John I^ewis Childs. 



2 16. Black Rail. Porzana jainalreiisi^. 



Range. — Temperate North America, breeding from north- 

 ern United States southward. 



Smallest of the Rails; 5 inches in length. A dark slaty 

 colored bird with white specks, and a patch of dark chest- 

 nut on the fore back. This diminutive species is very hard 

 to find because of its retiring habits, but according to 

 Mr. Brewster it may be located by the clicking sound of its 

 song. 



