90 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



Sora (Porsana Carolina) 



Also called Carolina rail. The sora and the Virginia rails are 

 the most abundant rails in this State, being especially common 

 in the marshes of central New York and the Great Lake region. 

 It breeds throughout the State. 8.5 



Call no. 



Nu So Adult, Side View, Approaching Nest in Reeds. Renwick, 

 near Ithaca. (June 3, 1914) Allen 



Describe its characteristic habitat. 



Nu So2 High Water Nest with Eggs. Branchport. (May 28, 1914) 



Burtch 



Water usually covers the site of the nest. In the spring of 1914 

 the marsh was flooded and this nest was built up more than usual. 



Nu So3 One Young Bird and Several Unhatched Eggs in Nest in 

 Reeds. Renwick swamp, near Ithaca. (June 3, 1914) 



Allen 



Note how the sedges are roofed over the nest to protect it 

 from above. Those in front have been pressed aside to give a 

 clear view of the eggs. The usual number of eggs is eight to ten, 

 but as many as sixteen are sometimes found. A very young sora 

 has a curious red knob or "cere'' above the bill and a tuft of 

 orange "whiskers" below the chin, which the Virginia rail does 

 not have. 



Nu So4 Young Bird Shaking Herself. The marsh at Branchport. 

 (July 26, 1911) Biirtch 



Nu SoS Young Bird Frightened and Running through the Water. 

 The marsh at Branchport. (July 30, 1911) Burtch 



Nu So7 Adult Feeding along Bank of Stream. (August 18, 1915) 



Bailey 



Note the long toes. Of what use are they? Compare the bill 

 with that of the Virginia rail. 



Sparrow, Chipping {Spizella passerina passerina) 



The most sociable of the sparrows. It feeds on the very 

 porches of houses and builds its nest on the trellises at the side 

 of the house as well as in the shrubs and young evergreens. 

 Unfortunately the house cat feeds upon the young and oftentimes 



