CLAPPER RAIL. 
187 
that of the Common Rail or Sora. Early in October these 
birds retire to the South, and probably migrate in the twilight 
or by the dawn of morning. 
The Clapper Rail is abundant along the Atlantic coast north to 
Long Island. It occurs occasionally on the Connecticut shores, 
but is merely an accidental wanderer within the Massachusetts 
boundaries, and but one example has been reported north of Bos- 
ton Harbor, — captured near Portland, Maine, some years ago. 
Note. — The Louisiana Clapper Rail {R.longirostris satu- 
ratus) was discovered by Mr. II. W. Henshaw and described in 
1880. It is a smaller bird than the tyjie, — length about thirteen 
inches, — and is of brighter-colored plumage. The brown of the 
upper parts is of a richer tint and is more deeply tinged with olive ; 
while the breast wears a richer shade of brown. The bird has 
been found on the coast of Louisiana only. 
Scott’s Rail, as it was named by Mr. Sennett, the describer, or 
Florida Clapper Rail, as it will be booked probably {R. longi- 
rostris rto/*-?), was discovered in 1886. It is the darkest variety of 
this species, — very dark brown or nearly black above, and lower 
parts brown. The bird appears to be sedentary on the west coast 
of Florida, and has been taken nowhere else. 
