
square mile in 1954, a reduction of 49%. In a second area, where 32 
pairs of rails and 32 water areas per square mile were recorded last 
year, 2.98 pairs of rails and 30.7 water areas per square mile were 
found this year, This is an even greater reduction, 90.7%. 
Based on general observations over the past eight years, it would 
seem that there has been a reoccurring rise and fall of sora rail mumbers 
in Alberta. In 19,8 during banding operations, it was most apparent on 
the prairies that this species was exceedingly abundant. Not until 1953, 
five years later, did a comparable buildup in populations become so 
apparent. However, as this study only began in 1953, there are still too 
few data on which to base very definite conclusions as to fluctuation 
in populations of this tiny game bird in the northern prairie region. 

62 
INT.-DUP. SEC., WASH., D.C.76952 
