Number of eggs.—Clutch-size is about 10 eggs (9 to 12; 4 records).
Nests are placed on the surface of the ground, under grassy or woody cover.
Virginia Rail: Rallus limicola limicola Vieillot.—This is an uncommon summer resident, presumably throughout the State. The one breeding record is from Morton County (May 24, 1950; Graber and Graber, 1951). Dates of spring arrival are from April 19 to May 18; dates of last observation in autumn are within the period September 1 to October 30. A few birds overwinter in the southern part of the State (Meade County, December and January).
Breeding season.—Eggs are laid probably in May and June.
Number of eggs.—Six to 12 eggs are laid (Davie, 1898).
Nests are placed in emergent aquatic plants, near the surface of the water.
Sora: Porzana carolina (Linnaeus).—This is an uncommon summer resident in marshland. Nesting records or specimens taken in the breeding season come from Finney, Barton, Jefferson, Douglas, and Miami counties. First dates of observation in spring are from April 11 to May 9 (the median is May 1); dates when last observed in autumn are from September 30 to November 9 (the median is October 18).
Breeding schedule.—The one dated record comes from August.
Number of eggs.—Clutch-size is around 10 eggs (Davie, 1898).
Nests are on the ground in grassy or herbaceous cover.