THE RAILS. 209 



and near the coast. There are numerous varieties 

 of the Rails, the most common of which are the 

 Sora Rail and the Virginia Rail. They are both 

 more or less abundant, during the summer months, 

 as far northward as Massachusetts, but retire to the 

 Southern States and Mexico to winter. The flight 

 of these birds during their migrations is swift and 

 long continued, and is performed with a constant 

 beating of the wings. At other times they seem to 

 possess but little activity, except in the use of their 

 legs; their flight being slow and heavy, with the 

 legs dangling, and seldom prolonged to any great 

 distance. The Sora Rail, if pursued by the sports- 

 man, after being forced to rise several times, will at 

 last dive under the water and secrete itself beneath 

 floating weeds, with its bill only above the surface. 

 Respecting this bird Audubon says : " The most cu- 

 rious habit or instinct of this species is the nicety 

 of sense by which they can ascertain the last moment 

 they can remain at any of the feeding grounds at 

 which they tarry in Autumn. One day, you may see 

 or hear the Soras in their favorite marshes, you may 

 be aware of their presence in the dusk of evening; 

 but when you return to the place early next morning, 

 they are all gone. Yesterday the weather was mild, 

 to-day it is cold and raw ; and no doubt the Soras 

 were aware that a change was at hand, and secured 

 themselves from its influence by a prompt movement 

 under night." 



The plumage of the Rails, although plainly colored, 

 is very soft and compact, particularly on the breast. 



o 



