276 The Water-fowl Family 



Since this bird was first described by Mr. Ridge- 

 way in 1882, additional specimens agreeing closely 

 with the original type have been secured, thus 

 establishing the species. It resembles closely, in 

 the coloring of its plumage, the Virginia rail, but 

 is considerably larger, and it is difficult to tell to 

 which variety the Belding's rail is most closely 

 related. 



CALIFORNIA CLAPPER RAIL 

 (JRallus obsoletus) 



Adult male and female — Upper parts, olivaceous, marked with dis- 

 tinct dusky stripes ; breast and under parts, cinnamon color ; 

 general plumage closely similar to R. elegans. The coloring 

 and marking of the flanks resemble R. crepitans. 



Downy young — Similar to R. elegans. 



Measurements — Length, 17 inches; wing, 6.50 inches; culmen, 

 2.50 inches ; tarsus, 2.25 inches. 



Eggs — Six to twelve in number, light buff, spotted with reddish 

 brown and lavender, measure 1.70 by 1.25 inches. 



Habitat — The salt marshes of the Pacific coast from San Quentin 

 Bay, Lower California, north to San Francisco, and possibly to 

 Washington. 



Little is known about any distinctive habits of 

 this species. It frequents the salt marshes and 

 marshy islands of California, and resembles in 

 manners the common clapper rail. 



Mr. Joseph Grinnell, in his " Check-list of Cali- 

 fornia Birds," confines this species to the marshes 

 of San Francisco Bay, north, possibly, to Hum- 

 boldt Bay, and recognizes Rallus levipes as the 

 form inhabiting the salt marshes of southern 



