Part 24

Notes.—A loud whooping scream.

Nest.—On the ground, usually in marshes; it is a bulky mass of grass and weeds, with the hollowed top a foot or more above ground. The two eggs that they lay are brownish-buff, spotted with brown (3.75 × 2.50); May, June.

LITTLE BROWN CRANE 205. Grus canadensis. 36 in.

Like the next and better known species, but smaller and browner, especially on the wings.

Range.—Breeds in the interior of Northern Canada; migrates, west of the Mississippi and east of the Rockies, to Mexico.

SANDHILL CRANE 206. Grus mexicana. 44 in.

Plumage entirely grayish with a few brownish feathers; bare skin on top of head, red. These cranes are locally distributed in the Gulf States, and in the interior north to Manitoba. Their food consists largely of grasshoppers, worms and lizards. Unlike herons, their young are born covered with down and can run about as soon as they appear. When flying, cranes carry their neck full outstretched.

Nest.—On the ground like that of the Whooping Crane.

Range.—Winters on the Gulf coast and in Florida; breeds north to Manitoba.

COURLANS—Family Aramidæ

LIMPKIN 207. Aramus vociferus. 27 in.

These singular birds are the connecting link between the cranes and the rails. They are rarely seen in flocks, usually living a secluded life in pairs. They are often known as the “crying bird,” because of the peculiar wailing cries that they utter, both in daytime and after nightfall. They are great skulkers, and it is difficult to make them fly; when they do take wing, it is only to go a few rods before dropping into the shelter of the reeds again. They can run rapidly, having a peculiar mincing gait, that is said to have given them the name of Limpkin.

Notes.—A peculiar wailing “whee-ee-eu.”

Nest.—A loosely constructed platform of sticks, leaves, grass and moss, located a few feet from the ground in tangled underbrush or vines. The 4 to 7 eggs are buffy white, blotched with brown (2.30 × 1.70); April, May.

Range.—Breeds and is resident in Southern Florida, and casually Texas.

RAILS, GALLINULES AND COOTS—Family Rallidæ

KING RAIL 208. Rallus elegans. 18 in.

Back handsomely patterned with black, olive-brown and gray; wing coverts reddish-brown; neck and breast, rich cinnamon-brown, brightest on the breast. Sides sharply barred with black and white. This species is the handsomest of the rails, and is the most distinctly and brightly marked. They are excellent runners and are very difficult to start from the marsh grass within which they are concealed. They are usually found in fresh water marshes, while the next species is most abundant in salt marshes; they are both often found in the same place and must be seen at close range to distinguish them.

Notes.—A loud “bup, bup, bup” repeated and ending in a roll. (Chapman).

Nest.—Of grass and weeds on the ground in marshes. The eggs are pale buff, spotted with reddish-brown (1.6 × 1.2); June.

Range.—Breeds from the Gulf coast north to Conn., Ont., and Minn. Winters in southern U. S.

CLAPPER RAIL 211. Rallus crepitans. 15 in.

General color above olive-grayish, with no strong black markings; breast pale brown; flanks barred with gray and white. This species is found almost exclusively in salt marshes, where they skulk about like rats. During exceptionally high tides, when their hiding places are covered, many of them are killed by negroes and white men for food; they can swim, but usually run across the marsh, making use of blades of grass, sticks or whatever trash may be in their course, as stepping stones.

Notes.—Loud and clacking like those of the King Rail.

Nest.—Of grasses on the ground in salt marshes; 6 to 14 buffy eggs, spotted with brown (1.70 × 1.20).

Range.—Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast, north to Mass. The following subspecies are darker and very locally distributed. 211a, Louisiana Clapper (R. c. saturatus), coast of La. 211b, Scott Clapper (R. c. scotti), Gulf coast of Fla. 211c, Wayne Clapper (R. e. waynei), east coast of Fla. to S. C.

VIRGINIA RAIL 212. Rallus virginianus. 9.5 in.

Coloration almost exactly like that of the King Rail, but the bird is much smaller. Like that species, this one prefers fresh water marshes. They have a great aversion to flying, and, like other rails, will trust to their legs for safety, should danger threaten; probably no other birds are as dexterous as the rails in threading their way through the close standing rushes. Although they do not have webbed feet, they can swim fairly well, and also dive, but they do so only when they are forced to. They look extremely awkward as they run over the trash on the marsh, their head and neck erect and extended, with their head rapidly turning from side to side as though looking for a place of safety.