448 



f HE SORA RAIL. 



to follow him when alarmed, for he wiU not rise again save under excep- 

 tional circumstances. Immense numbers of these birds are slaughtered 

 yearly, especially along the Atlantic Coast. ' They have this at least to recom- 

 mend them, — that they are easy practice for juvenile huntets. They afford 

 less meat, how-ever, than so many English Sparrow^s, and qualms of conscience 

 make poor sauce. 



WHERE THE SORA HIU]CB. 



Photo by 

 .the Author 



THE SWAMP IS THE ONE SHOWN WITH THE PRECEDING SPECIES BUT THE PICTURE WAS TAJi.2N 

 ABOUT A WEEK EARLIER IN THE SEASON. 



Tho rightly counted shy, the Sora possesses one trait which brings it 

 into frequent notice — curiosity. Often when I have been lying in a boat 

 waiting for ducks among the aquatic plants, some little distance off shore 

 and removed from the usual haunts of the Sora, I have heard sundry kcks 

 half apprehensive, half quizzical, followed- by the plashing of light feet as 

 a troop of the little Rails worked their way out and surrounded me, under 

 pretense, indeed, of searching for food, but being all too plainly prompted 

 by inquisitiveness. Dr. Howard Jones tells of similar experiences : "I have 

 ha:d them come up to me and peck my gum boots, and play with the gun 

 barrel as a bantam rooster does when teased." 



