308 BULLETIN 135, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



once owned, fed greedily on hashed meat and earthworms. The bird came readily 

 at my approach and after three days in confinement exhibited no signs of fear , 

 and quickly learned to feed from my hand. 



The foregoing remarks refer to the food of these rails on their 

 breeding grounds or during the spring and early summer. Later in 

 the summer and early in the fall, when the seeds of various aquatic 

 plants are ripening, their food is more largely vegetable. They are 

 especially fond of the seeds of wild rice (Zizania) which grows profusely 

 along the banks of sluggish streams and in fresh-water marshes. In 

 these wild-rice marshes they congregate in enormous numbers in 

 August and September, in company with bobolinks, and feast on the 

 seeds of these and other plants until they become very fat. Both 

 rails and reed birds are then easy marks for the embryo sportsmen 

 and tempting morsels for the table. Probably most of the seeds are 

 gleaned from the surface of the water or mud, where they have 

 fallen, but, as the rails are good climbers, they undoubtedly pick 

 some from the stalks above. 



Behavior. — When flushed in a marsh the sora usually rises from 

 almost underfoot, flutters feebly along just over the tops of the reeds for 

 40 or 50 yards, with a slow and apparently labored flight and with 

 feet awkwardly dangling, and then, with uplifted wings, suddenly 

 drops down out of sight again. Perhaps it can be flushed again but 

 it is more Ukely to escape by running. When making a long flight 

 across a river or pond, its flight is much stronger; its neck and legs 

 are extended and its wings are making strong steady strokes. Aud- 

 ubon (1840) says: 



The flight of this little bird while migrating is low, and performed with a con- 

 stant beating of the wings, as in the coot and other birds of its kind. They 

 pass swiftly along in compact flocks of from 5 to 100 or more individuals. At 

 times you see them rise in a long curve, as if they had perceived some dangerous 

 object beneath them; then resume their ordinary direct flight and are soon out of 

 sight. 



However weak this rail may appear on the wing, its appearance 

 when seen on foot is one of strength and activity. Owing to its shy 

 and retiring habits, it is seldom seen, but, if the observer lies con- 

 cealed near some open place in the bog, he may catch a glimpse of 

 it as it comes out to feed, stepping daintily over the bog, flirting its 

 short tail up and down or spreading it out in display, and nodding 

 its head back and forth with a graceful dovelike motion. Its toes 

 are so long and its body is so light, that it is easily supported on the 

 lily pads or on a few floating reeds. It takes long steps when walk- 

 ing, but when running its tracks may be a foot apart. If alarmed 

 by a sudden movement or sound, it runs to cover with lowered 

 head and outstretched neck and with wings and plumage closely 

 pressed against the narrowed body, as it sUps out of sight in the nar- 



