KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 265 
RALLUS VIRGINIANUS Zzzz, 
Virginia Rail. 
Adult: Having somewhat the appearance of a very small King Rail; upper parts are 
dusky or blackish ; feathers edged with grayish brown; wings brownish ; under parts dark rufous 
brown; throat white ; lores ashy white, shading into gray on the cheeks; flanks and under tail 
coverts barred and spotted with white and black. 
Length, 9.40; Wing, 4.25; Tarsus, 1.35; Bill, 1.55. 
Ranges throughout North America from the British Provinces south to 
Central America and Cuba. It breeds from New England northward on the 
Atlantic coast, the nest being made of grass, and the eggs are six to twelve, 
pale brownish white, spotted with reddish brown. 
RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS CREPITANS (Gmel.). 
Clapper Rail. 
Adult; Upper parts dull olive; feathers edged with gray ; throat white; breast pale grayish 
brown; rest of under parts grayish brown barred with white on the sides; wing coverts cinna- 
mon brown tinged with gray. 
Length, 14.75; Wing, 5.10; Tarsus, 2.10; Bill, 2.60. 
