236 FEATHERED GAME 
have less of the nerve-racking intensity which 
makes the chief charm of a rough and tumble 
with a ‘‘grizzly.’’ 
The Sora, the rail to the great number of 
gunners, is about nine inches long and in wing- 
spread about fourteen inches. The adult birds, 
both male and female, are marked as follows: 
upper parts a greenish brown, mottled with 
black; many of the feathers having a fine edg- 
ing of white. The bill, short, thick and stout, 
of greenish yellow color; a black mask on the 
face; cheeks, throat, breast and under parts a 
dull ashy blue, lightening towards the lower 
parts. Flanks barred with black and white, the 
colors becoming more pronounced toward the 
crissum. The young birds in the fall are simi- 
larly marked, but in less decided colors, having 
a reddish or buffy shade on the neck and breast, 
and a gray or whitish patch on the throat. 
These have no trace of the black mask on the 
face. 
The Sora Rail is usually introduced to the 
epicure in the form of a pie, and it is in this 
stage that it makes the best showing, for its 
flesh is tender and of delicate flavor. A rail 
