The snoring rail (Aramidopsis plateni) is a large flightless rail. The only species of its genus, it is endemic to Indonesia, and is found in dense vegetation in wet areas of Sulawesi and nearby Buton. The rail has grey underparts, a white chin, brown wings and a rufous patch on the hindneck. The sexes are similar, but the female has a brighter neck patch and a differently coloured bill and iris. The typical call is the snoring ee-orrrr sound that gives the bird its common name. The snoring rail, with a retiring nature, is rarely seen in its inaccessible habitat, and little is known of its behaviour. Only the adult plumage has been described, and the breeding behaviour is unrecorded. It feeds on small crabs and probably other small prey such as lizards. Although protected under Indonesian law since 1972, the rail is evaluated as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List; it is threatened by habitat loss, even within nature reserves, and by introduced species.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoring_rail

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1453:

With the conquest of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottomans. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire

1913:

During the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the avant-garde nature of the music and choreography caused a near-riot in the audience. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rite_of_Spring

1918:

World War I: Armenian forces defeated Ottoman troops at the Battle of Sardarabad, not only stopping the Turkish invasion but also preventing the complete destruction of the Armenian nation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sardarabad

1935:

The Messerschmitt Bf 109, the most produced fighter aircraft in history, had its first flight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109

1954:

The first annual Bilderberg Group meeting of leaders from European countries and the United States opened in Oosterbeek, Netherlands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

wheelhorse: 1. (US, figuratively) A person who labors heavily for a particular cause, without being concerned about recognition. 2. (obsolete or historical) A foot-propelled vehicle; a bicycle. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wheelhorse

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The basis of self-government and freedom requires the development of character and self-restraint and perseverance and the long view. And these are qualities which require many years of training and education.   --John F. Kennedy https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy