Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted; Life Histories of One Hundred and Seventy Birds of Prey, Game Birds and Water-Fowls (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ...'krek, 'krek, krek, kuk, k 'uk," after daylight or before sunset. The description of the sora's habits, which are almost identical with this rail's, should be read to avoid repetition. ln plumage, however, these two birds are quite different, the yellow-breasted rail having black upper parts streaked with brownish yellow and marked with white bars, the buff of the breast growing paler underneath, the dusky flanks barred with white, and the under coverts varied with black, white, and rufous. lts wing linings are white, but these the bird takes good care not to show. The Little Black Rail, or Crake (Porrana jamaicensis), the smallest of the family, exhibits all the family shyness and fear, which, taken with its obscure coloration and its extreme unwillingness to rise on the wing, keep it almost unknown, although its range extends from Massachusetts, Illinois, and Oregon to Louisiana, the West lndies, and Central America. As its name implies, it is common in jamaica. Mr. Marsh of that island writes its call "chi-chi-cro-croo-croo, several times repeated in sharp high notes so as to be audible to a considerable distance." Guided by this call, one may count oneself rarely fortunate to discover the, little mouse-like bird that makes it, running swiftly in and out of the sedges. lts head, breast, and under parts are slate color; its fore back and nape are rich brown; its lower back, wings, and tail are brownish black spotted with white, and the flanks and dusky under parts are barred with white. Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) Called also: FLORIDA GALLINULE; WATER HEN; REDBILLED MUD HEN; BLUE RAIL Male and Female--A bare, bright red shield on forehead, same color as bill; plumage uniform dark bluish or grayish...