GRALL.E — RALLIDiE — RALLUS. 261 



THE MUD-HEN. 



Rallus virginianus. 

 plate c. fig. 223. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Rallus virginianus, Lin. Gmelin, Vol. I, p. 716. 

 R. jiensylvanicus. Brisson, Av. p. 138. 



R limicola, Vieillot. R. virginianus, Wilson, Am. Ornithology, Vol. 7, p. 109, pi. 62, fig. 2. 

 R. virginianus. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 33-1. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 205, Audubon, 

 Birds of Am. Vol. 5, p. 174, pi, 311. Giraod, Birds of Long island, p. 208. 



Characteristics. Black, skirted with brown ; beneath rufous. Throat white. Wing-coverts 

 chesnut; first quill entirely black. Length, 10 - 0. 



Description. Bill deep at the base, slightly curved, slender, compressed, 1*7 long. The 

 first and sixth quills subequal. Tarsus 1'3 long, compressed. Feathers of the forehead 

 with the shaft elongated beyond the web. 



Color. Deep brownish black above ; the feathers streaked with olive brown. A whitish 

 line extending from the base of the bill over the eye ; lores and space behind the eye bluish 

 grey. Wings blackish brown ; the coverts reddish brown or chesnut. Throat white ; neck 

 and breast reddish brown. Vent and under tail-coverts dusky brown, barred with white ; 

 feathers of the tibia lightest in front. 



Length, 9-5-10-5. 



This little Mud-hen, or Virginian Rail, is found throughout the State. The eggs are 

 dusky white, with brownish specks chiefly about the largest end. It occurs with us from May 

 to September, living chiefly along the course of fresh water streams and morasses, but has 

 also been observed along the coast. Feeds on worms, aquatic insects, freshwater shells, and 

 the seeds of grasses. It ranges from 24° to 58° north latitude, and is a winter resident from 

 Carolina southwardly. 



GENUS ORTYGOMETRA. Aldrovandus. Leach. 



With most of the characters of the preceding genus. Bill shorter than the head, compressed, 

 tapering, acute at the point, much higher than wide at the base. Upper mandible furrowed 

 at the base only, slightly curved at the tip. Nostrils medial, linear. 



Obs. This corresponds with the genus Crex of Illiger, Bechstein and Bonaparte, and 

 embraces two small species in this State. 



