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Range (Eastern North America breeds)

Eastern North America; breeds as far north as Missouri and southern Connecticut, and occasionally strays as far as Wisconsin, Ontario, and Maine; winters from Virginia southward.

Washington, uncommon S. R., almost a P. R. Long Island, rare S. R. Nest, of grasses, on the ground in fresh-water marshes. Eggs, seven to twelve, buffy white, more heavily spotted and speckled with rufous-brown than those of the next species, 1.68 x 1.20.

The King Rail is the fresh-water representative of the Clapper Rail. It is, however, a much less common bird, and less is known of its habits. Like other Rails, it is a skulker, and never flies when it can escape by running or hiding in the dense grass of its home. On three occasions I have heard what I am quite sure was the King Rail's call, a loud, startling bup, bup, bup, bup, bup, uttered with increasing rapidity until the syllables were barely distinguishable, then ending somewhat as it began. The whole performance occupied about five seconds. 211. Rallus longirostris crepitans (Gmel.). CLAPPER RAIL;