294 



GAME BIBDS OF CALIFORNIA 



Table 12 — Data relative to the nesting of the Virginia Bail in California 



Ordinarily the Virginia Rail chooses drier ground on which to build 

 its nest than does the Sora. Usually a pile of broken-down tules is 

 used as a foundation, and on this the nest itself, which is often con- 

 structed of the same material, or of dry grasses, is placed. Usually 

 the nest is well concealed, even though its foundation may raise it a 

 foot or more from the ground. A typical nest found by Sheldon (1907, 

 p. 187) in Papoose Valley, Lassen County, was made of the dry husks 

 of tule stems and placed among low tules. 



As reported by different observers the eggs number from five to 

 twelve in a complete set. In shape they are roundedly oval, while in 

 size they average 1.28 by 0.93 inches. The ground-color is pale buffy 

 gray, with superficia,l spots of reddish brown and deeper ones of 

 lavender. The markings are rather sparsely distributed except at the 

 larger end of the egg. The eggs of the Virginia differ from those 

 of the Sora in having a lighter ground color and more reddish mark- 

 ings. Sets of eggs of the Virginia Rail usually number less than those 

 of the Sora. 



Concerning the voice of the Virginia Rail, Brewster (19026, pp. 

 47-48), writing from Massachusetts, says: 



About the middle of April we begin to hear in our marshes, usually in the 

 early morning, late afternoon or during cloudy weather, and coming from some 

 briary thicket or bed of matted reeds, a guttural cut, cut, cutta-cutta-cutta 

 repeated at brief intervals, often for hours in succession. This is occasionally 

 interrupted or closely followed by a rapid succession of low yet penetrating 

 grunts not unlike those of a hungry pig. The Virginia Eail is the author 

 of both these sounds, the former appearing to be peculiar to the male and, no 

 doubt, his love song. When heard very near at hand it has a peculiar vibrant 

 quality and seems to issue from the ground directly beneath one's feet. The 

 grunting notes are given by both sexes, but, with rare exceptions, only during 

 the breeding season. The female when anxious about her eggs or young also 

 calls Tci-M-M and sometimes Iciu like a Flicker. 



