e black rail is apparently a rare migrant to freshwater marshes of the 
ription.--A tiny slate-colored rail about the size of a 
sparrow; nape and back chestnut 
brown, rest of plumage dark with some white spots ab ° 
dacs" goidoaiah greet, UT. Vince, 8p ove, white bare on flanke; iris red, 
8 = 
Male (8) Female (3) 
Wing, 70~75.5 (72.5) Wing, e 
Tail, 29-34.5 (32.1) Tail, a PH Rtat 
Tarsus, 21-23 (22,2) — Tarsus, 20-24 (22,5) 
Exposed culmen, 12-15 (14.1) Exposed colmen, 13.5-14 (13.7) 
Distribution,—Breeds from Minnesota, southern Ontario (7), and Ma 
5 ssachusett 
south to Kansas, Illinoie, and Florida. Winters mainly south of the United States. ~ 
Distribution in Guatemala.--Only one record, that at Duefas. 
Records.--Thies rail was not observed during our survey, 
In literature it is recorded only at Duefias (Salvin and Godman) 
Babite and Hunting.--This rail is too small to be of any value as a game bird. 
45 Laterallus ruber ruber (Sclater and Salvin) 
Guatemalan Ruddy Rail 
Other Names. —o 
None known. 
Statug.--This species is apparently a regular migrant, as well as a resident in some 
localities, though generally scarce in numbers, 
Description.--Very small, not much larger than a sparrow; head gray; underparts chestnut 
brown, palest on chin; back brown, rich chestnut on upper back, darker on rump, upper 
tail coverts blackish; wings olive brown, Sexes similar in coloration. 
Measurement a.-- 
Male (12) Female (6) 
Wing, 73.5-84.5 (78.1) Wing, 70.5~80 (76.3) 
Tail, 28-36 (31.2) Tail, 27-32.5 (30.3) 
Tarsus, 30.5-35 (32.6) Tarsus, 29-32 (30.8) 
Exposed culmen, 18-21.5 (20.2) Exposed culmen, 17.5-21.5 (19.6) 
General Distribution.—-Yucatdén Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize (British Hondurae) to 
northern Honduras: Cogumel Island. 
Distribution in Guatemala.—-Tropical Zone marshes of the Petén, Alta Vera Paz, and eaetern 
lowlands. Recorded also at Lake Amatitidn and Duenas. 
Records.--This species was not observed during the present survey. } 
In literature it has been recorded from: Vera Paz, Cobdn, Choctum, Duenas 
(Salvin and Godman): Secanquim, Cham, Finca Concepcién, Chimoxén, Quirigué4 (Griscom): 
Pacomén, Laguna del Zoty (Van Tyne); Laguna Perdida and Lake Amatitldn (Ridgeway and 
Friedmann, 1941:185). 
Habits and Hunting.--This rail is too small to be of any value as a game bird. 
55 
