VllUilNIA KAIL. 119 



found Ht ntlici- j)()iiits ill Soutliciii ()iitiiri(), liut the St. Clair Flats 

 seem to be its favorite breediiiy place. The extent of the marsh 

 ^ncl the almost stagnant water appear to suit the taste of these birds, 

 and here they .spend the summer and raise their young without 

 being disturbed. 



They are seldom seen on the wing, but become very noisy and 

 excited befoi'c i-aiii, keejiing up an incessant cackling, which, better 

 than anything el.se, gives an idea of the nuinliei' tliat are moving 

 about under cover of the rushes. 



This seems to be the northern boundary of their habitat in 

 Ontario, for they are not found in the North-West, nor anywhere else 

 to tlie north of us. They arrive in May and leave in September. 



RALLUS VIRGINIANUS (Linx.). 

 SI. Virginia Rail. (212) 



Coloration, exactly as in t-h-tjan-f, of wliiuli it is a jjerfect miniature. Length, 

 8i-10A; wing, about 4; tail, about U; ])ill, U-I5; tarsus, Ij-U, ; iiiiiliUe toe, 

 U-13. 



Hab. — Xoi'th Aineri(;a. from iJritish Provinces south to (iuatemala and 

 Cuba. 



Nest, in a tuft of reeds or rushes, some of them bent down to assist in form- 

 ing the structure, M'hich is usually placed close to the water. 



Eggs, six to nine, buff oi- c:reamy, speckled and l)lotched with reddish- 

 brown and obscure lilac. 



Although this cannot be said to be a numerous species, it is ver}' 

 generally distributed, being found in all suitable places throughout 

 the Province. When not disturbed, it may be seen quietly wading 

 in the shallow ponds in search of its food, which consists of aquatic 

 insects, snails, worms, anrl the seeds of such grasses as grow near its 

 haunts. If alarmed, it at once takes to the rushes, and passes with 

 such swiftness along the covered runways which interlace the rush 

 beds, that it will elude the pursuit of an active dog, and avoid 

 exposing itself to the ain) of the sportsman. 



It is found in the North-West, but is not abundant. 



In Southern Ontario it arrives early in May anfl leaves late in 

 September. 



