650 



AVES— RAIL 



of moss. The nest is in its color so closely similar to that of the surround- 

 ing objects, that it is almost impossible to discover it except when the bird is 

 entering. The eggs are five in number ; white, tinged with a fine blush of 

 red. It will sometimes pick up insects at the edge of the water. When 

 disturbed, it usually flirts up its tail, and makes a chirping.noise. Its song 

 in spring is said to be very pretty. In some places it is supposed to be 

 migratory. 



THE AMERICAN RAIL* 



Affords the sportsman a most agreeable amusement, and a delicious repast. 

 In Virginia, it is called sora, and in South Carolina, the coot. Its history is 

 involved in profound mystery. No one can detect the first moment of arri- 

 val ; yet, all at once, the reedy shores, and grassy marshes of our large 

 rivers, swarm with them, thousands of them being sometimes found within 

 the space of a few acres. These, Avhen they do venture on the wing, seem to 

 fly so feebly, and in such short fluttering flights among the reeds, as to render it 

 highly improbable to most people that they could possibly make their way 

 over an extensive country. Yet on the first smart frost that occurs, the 

 whole suddenly disappear, as if they had never been. 



When the reeds along the shores of the Delaware have attained their full 

 growth, the rail resort to them in great numbers to feed on the seeds of this 

 plant, of which they are immoderately fond. As you walk along the em- 



1 Hallux carolinus, Lin. 



