Wake Island Rail

The adult bird had a length of 22 cm (9 in). The wing spread was between 8.5 and 10 cm (3 and 4 in). The length of the tail was 4.5 cm (2 in). The culmen was between 2.5 and 2.9 cm (1 and 1 in) and the length of the tarsus was 3.3 to 3.7 cm (1 to 1 in). It was closely related to the buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis) from the Philippines, which is able to fly. Genetic evidence indicates that amongst Gallirallus species it is most closely related to the Roviana rail and the buff-banded rail itself. Its appearance was dark greyish brown on the upperparts as well as on the crown, the lores and the cheeks. It was also characterized by ash brown underparts with striking narrow white bars on the belly, the breast, and the flanks. The upper throat and the chin were whitish. A grey superciliary was drawn from the chin over the top of the eyes to the bill. The bill, legs and feet had a brown hue.

The ecology of this species is poorly known, though a review published in 2011 has shed more light on its life and subsequent extinction. It was numerous at the time of Lionel Walter Rothschild's first scientific description as Hypotaenidia wakensis in 1903. The Wake Island rail inhabited Cordia subcordata scrubs and fed on molluscs, insects, worms and seeds which it found by digging up leaves and soil with its bill. Since its habitat offered no natural source of fresh water, it is assumed that the bird was able to subsist without drinking. It was seen on Peale islet of Wake in the late 1930 when the Pan American seaplane port and hotel was built. Some of the last museum specimen collections were taken, between 1935 and 1939. It was observed preying on hermit crabs, and for example of photo of nest with four eggs and one being watched was recorded at this time. A few eggs would be laid in shallow bowl of nest with thick vegetation on the ground, and the eggs had a speckled camouflage pattern. The breeding period started with courtship and copulations in late July, with actual nesting not taking place until mid-August. The nest itself was a simple saucer-shaped depression on the ground. Under favourable conditions, it may have managed to rear two broods a year. …