. Birds in Kansas. Birds -- Kansas Identification. 190 BIRDS IN KANSAS. Virginia Rail Rallus limicola (Vieillot) Status: The Virginia Rail is an uncommon summer resident in marshes throughout Kansas and a casual winter resident in suitable habitat. Period of Occurrence: The Virginia Rail arrives in migration about mid-April and departs by mid- October. It has been recorded in every month except February. Breeding: The only breeding re- cords are from Barton, Ottawa, and Morton counties, but it undoubt- edly breeds regularly also at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Clutch size is from 6 to 13
. Birds in Kansas. Birds -- Kansas Identification. 190 BIRDS IN KANSAS. Virginia Rail Rallus limicola (Vieillot) Status: The Virginia Rail is an uncommon summer resident in marshes throughout Kansas and a casual winter resident in suitable habitat. Period of Occurrence: The Virginia Rail arrives in migration about mid-April and departs by mid- October. It has been recorded in every month except February. Breeding: The only breeding re- cords are from Barton, Ottawa, and Morton counties, but it undoubt- edly breeds regularly also at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Clutch size is from 6 to 13 eggs (Ripley 1977), and incubation takes 18 to 20 days with both the male and female incubating. The young leave the nest immediately after they hatch and are quite adept both at scurry- ing through the marsh grass or at swimming, if necessary. This species may have two broods in one season (ibid.). Habits and Habitat: This "miniature King Rail" prefers the same type of habitat, namely marshes composed of cattails, sedges, and grasses. It is vocal during the breeding season and can be called readily with a tape recording of its vocalizations. Use of this technique frequently causes Virginia Rails to seem common where previously none had been heard. Often it can be seen in early morning at sunrise or in the late evening just at sunset, when it comes out to feed along the edge of the marsh. When it is frightened into flight, it flies awkwardly with its legs dangling, like other rails. Although it is on the game bird list, it is not regularly hunted in Kansas. Food: The Virginia Rail eats slugs, snails, small fishes, insect larvae, and earthworms (Ripley 1977).. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Thompson, Max C; Ely, Charles A. (Charles Adelbert), 1933-. Lawrence, Kan. : University of Ka
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