THE DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF THE SORA RAILS 
“Since earliest spring-time they have sought 
The utmost northern isle and shoal; 
Their chosen haunt and breeding ground, 
In latitude beneath the Pole. 
Me Leila,A 
/ 
B EFORE commencing this story of the home of a pair"- 
of sora rails and their home life, I must admitkthat the 
finding of their nest was purely accidental. It Happened^ 
like this: // .. 
fA ' v 
. . . I y i 
One rare evening in early Spring, just as twilight was softl 
L (Vs 
stealing over the land, a friend and myself were canoeing down 
a large stream in western Ohio. We leisurely paddled along 
i feasting our eyes upon a wonderful scenerv aboylt us and 
I 
making mental notes of the early migrants as we chanced to see 
them. At a bend in the river I noticed a great blue fiejon fly 
over us, alighting along the shore in a patch of sedge and water ^ 
grass that lined the river at this point. We quickly paddled 
over to where we saw him land, in hopes of getting a better view 
r- 
of him. As we neared the spot, he flew with great wing beats 
* 
up the river*. 
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