292 BULLETIN 135, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Enemies. — Mr. Arthur T. Wayne (1910), for whom this bird was 

 named, writes: 



This bird is well known to all the inhabitants along the coast, and during the 

 spring tides in September, October, and November, countless thousands are 

 annually killed, yet there is no diminution in its numbers, as the birds are vigor- 

 ous and very prolific, and two broods are annually raised, each pair being able 

 to raise 24 young under favorable circumstances. These birds, however, have 

 innumerable enemies to contend with during the breeding season, as crows take 

 their eggs at every opportunity, crabs catch the young, and the mink is ever on 

 the alert; while spring tides often wash away the nest and eggs. Yet with all 

 these vicissitudes there is absolutely no diminution of their numbers. From the 

 last of February until November the notes of this bird can be daily heard, and 

 I have often heard it shriek when the marsh hawk (Circus hudsonius) was 

 attacking it. These birds are generally very quiet at high water, but as soon as 

 the tide begins to recede, their notes can be heard all through the marshes. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Atlantic coast of the United State from southeastern North 

 Carolina to the central part of the east coast of Florida. The breed- 

 ing range extends north to North Carolina (Beaufort) and south along 

 the coast to South Carolina (Mount Pleasant and Frogmore) ; Geor- 

 gia (Savannah, St. Katherine's Island, Blackbeard Island, Darien, 

 St. Simons Island, Cumberland, and St. Marys); and Florida (Fer- 

 nandina, Pilot Town, Matanzas Inlet, Sea Breeze, and Mosquito 

 Inlet). In winter it is found somewhat farther south (near the head 

 of Indian River, Florida). 



Egg dates. — South Carolina: 18 records, March 9, to June 24; 9 

 records. May 6 to 16. Georgia: 23 records, March 23 to June 25; 

 12 records, May 3 to June 3. Florida: 12 records. May 19 to July 

 25; 6 records, May 24 to 28. 



RALLUS VIRGINIANUS Linnaeus 

 VIRGINIA RAIL 



HABITS 



Contributed by Charles Wendell Townsend 



The Virginia rail, hke most of its family, is rarely seen except by 

 those who know its ways, and, even when heard, its strange noises 

 are often attributed to frogs or other creatures. One who has seen 

 only the usual short and feeble flights of this bird would receive with 

 astonishment, if not with incredulity, the statement that some 

 individuals migrate annually many hundreds of miles. Suoh, how- 

 ever, must be the case, for the Virginia rail winters but sparsely 

 north of North Carolina and it breeds as far north a*; Quebec and 

 even Manitoba. 



Spring. — Audubon (1840) describes the arrival of this bird as 

 follows : 



