Not much is yet known about the Sandy Island Rail, the most elusive of the endemic Sandinian birds. Only one specimen was collected by the Warburton expedition. It is quite similar to the Lord Howe Island Rail, but slightly smaller and more pedomorphic - as if the Conditicious or Kiribati Rail, the assumed identity of a famous juvenile Lord Howe specimen, were an actual species. It is reported to be a thicket dweller, seldom venturing out of deep cover. However, it has been seen perched in trees, which must be a difficult task because it is certainly flightless. The wings of the examined specimen have an unusual modification which may hold a clue to the perching behavior of this rail. The digits of the wing have knob-like tips, and these are theorized to be in the process of evolving back into claws. If this is proven, then the Sandy Island Rail is reverting to an ancestral state of clambering in tree branches with its toe and “finger” claws, probably sailing down from the trees with its short wings extended. In short, it is attempting to occupy the niche of Archaeopteryx. This is the same sort of reversion as whales’ resemblance to fish, only with a twist due to the clambering niche’s being long extinct. It may represent an improper thinking-through on the part of the rail, to whit, a smart-sounding stupid idea.
A loud, snarling growl is attributed to this rail, whose nest and eggs have not yet been found. The rails also cry almost like human babies, and make a sneezy wheeze. It is assumed that they are omnivorous but eat mostly insects.
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