RAIL

a group designation for a large family of birds distributed over many couna ————S: tries and ranging in size from the small: p; - 1} Sora to the big Clapper-rail. The marsh include both the birds referred % — a 7 4 to in the preceding sentence, and also the | inland Coots and the Florida and other Gal-: ‘2. - Fy s| linules, all of them known likewise as and #2+the most important and are marked by the é. | peculiar formation of their bodies—which _— —— a -: are broad and blunt behind and very nar- 4 row in front, this shape enabling them eine “ENG9 > a more readily to make their way in, through, and around the tall reeds of their marshy. r \ 7 homes. i \: The sora—also called ‘‘Carolina rail’’ i; yf a —is the best known in the markets. Its upper plumage is of greenish or golden pa He OEE - brown with black and white markings, the —-. front of the head and throat black; and the 7: ~,| under-parts brownish or slate-colored with;; black and white bars. Plucked and ready Sora—a little le than 14 linear measure for market, the birds average ia weight from 214 to three pounds a dozen—this average being, however, dependent on a normal season.