Olson and Rauzon • WAKE ISLAND RAIL 
675 
Wing chord (mm) Wing chord (mm) 
FIG. 6. Scatterplots showing sexual dimorphism in size of external measurements of Wake Island Rail (Gallirallus 
wakensis). • = male; O = female. 
with unworn primaries from November 1935 
(BBM) has the tail present and distinct. 
BEHAVIOR 
General Demeanor (Figs. 8. 9).—Wetmore 
(1970:2) encountered the birds “singly, or two 
or three in loose association." "The birds were 
alert and inquisitive and came walking out with 
head and neck erect and jerking tails. Though not 
averse to crossing open spaces, they walked 
ordinarily under cover, apparently through a 
desire to keep out of the intense rays of the sun. 
Often while sitting down one came within three or 
four feet of me peering curiously with out¬ 
stretched neck and jerking tail while it uttered a 
low cluck. Though lame they took care to keep 
well out of reach, although I did knock one over 
with a slight switch. Rails were much shyer.... 
during the rain” (Wetmore in Olson 1996:105). 
"About fifteen rails were seen [3 August] at 
different times in the shrubbery or at the edge of 
the Sesuvium. They ventured out ten or twelve 
feet from the edge where they walked about 
unconcernedly so long as I was quiet, but skipped 
rapidly to the protecting shelter of low growing 
trees at any suspicious movement. Ordinarily their 
motions are deliberate.. ..Should one chance to see 
me before I call, it seems greatly startled and with 
head erect runs swiftly away, dodging behind 
stumps or other cover until far beyond reach. 
Pursuit at such times is useless as the birds travel 
rapidly under the thick cover where they mav not 
be seen. As they walk about, the tail is held down 
but at short intervals is jerked over the back. 
Though they come within three or four feet of me 
m the heavy brush. I find it difficult to get pictures 
