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Range (Eastern North America)

"Eastern North America from Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay west to Utah and Nevada; no extralimital record except Cuba and the Bermudas" (A. O. U.). Washington, rare T. V., Mch. and Oct. Long Island, uncommon T. V. Cambridge, rare T. V., Apl. and May; Oct. and Nov.

Nest, on the ground in grassy marshes. Eggs, six or more, creamy buff, densely sprinkled and speckled on larger end with rusty brown, 1:12 × 83 (Ridgw.).

This little Rail inhabits marshes with others of its family. With them it seems to know that it can escape its enemies much more easily by hiding in the tangled grasses of its home than by taking wing, and it flies only to avoid actual capture. It can be hunted successfully, therefore, only with dogs.

Nuttall describes its notes as "an abrupt and cackling cry, 'krèk, 'krèk, 'krèk, 'krek, 'kuk, 'k'kh," and compares them to the croaking of the tree frog. 216. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.). LITTLE BLACK RAIL. Ad.- Head, breast, and upper belly slate-color; lower belly, back, and wings brownish black, barred or spotted with white; nape dark reddish brown. L., 5.00; W., 2.80; Tar., 80; B., 60.