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THE WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY • Vol 123, No. 4, December 2011 
attacked and the animals killed and eaten” 
(Wetmore 1970). 
Lyons (1940, 3 Sep) noted the rails did not 
scratch with their feet, but would instead flip with 
the bill. One feeding in dry crinkled leaves under 
a Heliotrnpium used the bill most effectively in 
scratching with about three rapid flicks in a series, 
throwing the leaves about 30 cm (Lyons 1939, I 
Aug). One rail dug with the bill for grubs in loose 
coral soil in a hole as big as the rail's body [60 mm 
deep], as another stood patiently by and also 
grabbed food as it was dug up, the digging bird 
had tan lipped plumage [presumably remiges) 
whereas the waiting bird was in fresh plumage 
(Lyons 1939, 16 Sep). Rails were seen feeding on 
insects for which they climbed up in bushes, and 
Lyons mentioned adults carrying caterpillars that 
were evidently intended to Iced to the young. 
Lyons found caterpillars of the noctuid moth 
Achaea janata, a species widespread in the 
tropical and subtropical Pacific and Australia, on 
Wake Island where they were feeding on Cordia 
and also on tomato plants (Williams 1945). The 
rails fed eagerly on human food scraps and also on 
spilled chicken feed (Lyons 1939, 26 Jun; Vaughn 
1945). 
Drinking and Bathing .—Wetmore (1970:3-4) 
noted that "there were no permanent pools of fresh 
or brackish water on the atoll. Storm blown 
materials over the land surface, however, included 
abundant hand-sized shells of a bivalve mollusk of 
the genus Tridacm. It was fairly common to find 
these with the concavity facing up. The rains that 
fell daily during our stay (Jul-Aug 1923) kept these 
filled with fresh water, and to these the rails came 
frequently to drink. This, however was not a 
permanent supply, as in the history of Wake since 
it became an airport, extensive periods of drought 
are recorded. In studies of the abundant Polynesian 
rat in this subsequent period it was found that in dry 
periods these mammals sought the large immature 
calyces of the abundant wild morning-glory 
Ipomaea tuba as a supply of fluid in place of water. 
It may be assumed that the rails also did this.” 
“While testing the well on Pealc we pumped 
five or six hundred gallons of water out on the 
ground where it formed a large shallow puddle. 
Dozens of rails took advantage of this opportunity 
to have a bath. They splashed about and appeared 
to enjoy themselves hugely” (Grooch 1936:115- 
116). 
Breeding (Figs. 4. 9).—“The birds are now [28 
Jul 1923J in breeding condition and Bryan noticed 
a pair in copulation today" (Wetmore in Olson 
1996:105). “They are fairly fat and in good 
condition. The breeding season is at hand as males 
have enlarged testes and in some females the 
oviduct shows development. None seem to have 
laid as yet (3 Aug 1923]" (Wetmore in Olson 
1996:105). We examined a fluid-preserved speci¬ 
men taken on 29 July 1923 in which the right testis 
was 5.8 x 13.9 mm and the left testis 6.0 X 
12.5 mm. Given shrinkage due to dehydration in 
alcohol, the dimensions would have been even 
greater in life, and Wetrnore's assessment that the 
testes were enlarged is confirmed. 
There is no sign of birds in recognizably juvenile 
plumage among the 39 skins at the USNM trom the 
Tamger Expedition (late Jul to early Aug). One 
would expect at least a few birds from the previous 
nesting in a series this large and if they had molted 
from juvenile plumage by late summer, it would 
indicate possible hatching about April. 
“During the last part of August [1936] a 
number of broods of rails were hatched, and at 
the completion of the rat control work in 
September, these same broods and later ones 
were still roaming the poisoned area in full 
strength” (Spencer 1936:7). The only known 
specimen in juvenile plumage (USNM 365254. 
Frontispiece) was collected on 7 June 1937 and 
was probably at least 3 or 4 weeks of age. 
indicating hatching in the early part of May. 
“Two broods a year seem to be the rule, one 
appearing in April to May, the other August to 
September” (Spencer 1959). 
Lyons (1939) noted a young bird at end of 
down stage on 13 June. Young two-thirds grown 
were present on 26 June (Lyons 1939). Four 
downy young obtained on 21 July 1939 (MVZ) 
were newly hatched (Fig. 3B). A just hatched 
chick in the chicken yard, wobbled, black down, 
no adult in sight (Lyons 1939. 25 Jun). Three two- 
thirds grown young around the quarters on 26 
June (Lyons 1939). Four young in a group on 12 
July (Lyons 1939). Rails very excitable for the 
last few weeks (young presumably hatching) and 
a half grown one seen on 7 and 10 October (Lyons 
1939). Two newly hatched young with five adults 
on 23 October (Lyons 1939). In about a week 
from the first baby rail, six had been hatched— 
three near the hotel and three near the greenhouse. 
I believe more have been hatched since (Lyons 
1939, 12 Nov). Following the nest that hatched on 
20 July, young were seen that indicated about five 
other hatches on Peale. On 20 August these babies 
