216 WADING BIRDS. 



rapidity among the long grass near the shores. In the 

 morning and evening it utters a note, which resembles the 

 strikincr of a flint and steel : at other times it makes a 

 shrieking noise. It builds no nest, but lays from 10 to 16 

 white eggs, among the grass." It is evident, therefore, that 

 the Yellow-Breasted Rail is principally a northern species, 

 which migrates mostly through the western interior of the 

 continent, and is therefore very rare in the Atlantic States. 

 According to the Prince of Musignano, it has also been 

 seen in marshy situations around Athabasca Lake. 



Like all the other species, the present inhabits swamps, 

 marshes, and the reedy margins of ditches and lakes. In 

 the vicinity of West Cambridge, and the vast extent of wet 

 marsh-land, which stretches over the face of the country, 

 and is but rarely visited by man, among the Virginian Rails, 

 and a few stragglers of the Soree, we occasionally meet 

 with this small and remarkable species. The first ever 

 brought to me, late in autumn, was surprised while feeding 

 CD insects or seeds, by the margin of a small pool, over- 

 grown with the leaves of the water lily ( Nymphcca odorata.) 

 Without attempting either to fly or swim, it darted nimbly 

 over the floating leaves, and would have readily escaped 

 but for the arrest of the fatal gun, which baffled its cun- 

 ning and precaution ; when wounded it also swims and 

 dives with great address. According to Mr. Ives, they are 

 frequently met with, at this season, in the marshes in the 

 vicinity of Salem. 



On the 6th of October (1831,) having spent the night in 

 a lodge, on the borders of Fresh Pond, employed for decoy- 

 ing and shooting ducks, I heard, about sunrise, the Yellow- 

 Breasted Rails begin to stir among the reeds (Arundo 

 pJiragmitis) that thickly skirt this retired border of the 

 lake, and in which, among a host of various kinds of Black- 

 birds, they had for some time roosted every night. As soon 



