CLAPPER RAIL. 1 87 



that of the Common Rail or Sora. Early in October these 

 birds retire to the South, and probably migrate in the twilight 

 or by the dawn of morning. 



The Clapper Rail is abundant along the Atlantic coast north to 

 Long Island. It occurs occasionally on the Connecticut shores, 

 but is merely an accidental wanderer within the Massachusetts 

 boundaries, and but one example has been reported north of Bos- 

 ton Harbor, — captured near Portland, Maine, some years ago. 

 Its breeding range extends from Connecticut to the Gulf States, 

 and it is found in winter throughout the Southern States. 



Note. — The Louisiana Clapper Rail (^. crepitans satu- 

 ratits) was discovered by Mr. H. W. Henshaw and described in 

 1880. It is a smaller bird than the type, — length about thirteen 

 inches, — and is of brighter-colored plumage. The brown of the 

 upper parts is of a richer tint and is more deeply tinged with olive- 

 while the breast wears a richer shade of brown. The bird has 

 been found on the coast of Louisiana only. 



Scott's Rail, as it was named by Mr. Sennett, the describer, or 

 Florida Clapper Rail, as it will be booked probably {R. scottii), 

 was discovered in 1886. It is the darkest of the group, — very dark 

 brown or nearly black above, and lower parts brown. The bird 

 appears to be sedentary on the west coast of Florida, and has beea 

 taken nowhere else. 



