Inhabiting mangrove swamps of southern Lower California, little is known of their habits. W. W. Brown states he found them most difficult to collect because of their shyness and the impenetrable nature of the swampy jungles.
Two eggs in the collection of Col. John E. Thayer are creamy white dotted with maroon and mauve.
Cape region of Lower California.
Bangs elevated this bird to full species rank, basing the crown on the two hundred mile strip of coast separating the California Clapper Rail from the LIGHTFOOT RAIL. As they both are supposed to be non-migratory, it must be another bird. California authorities agree that there are "no essential differences in habits of the two species."
NEST: a loose affair of rush stalks on foundation of dead reeds in or near marshes.
EGGS: 6–10; white or buffy spotted with red brown and pale purple.
Coastal marshes of southern California.