Herons, Raits, Etc. 235 
very young, and being of a uniform dark-gray color, 
look not unlike meadow-mice when in motion. 
In August these birds, both old and young, extend 
their wanderings to the river-shore and associate to 
some extent with the smaller rail-birds. They are 
excellent swimmers, and to some extent crepuscular in 
habit, as I have found them occasionally in the ‘“‘ open” 
meadows after sunset and on bright moonlit nights. 
The Virginia Rail, which is a very much smaller 
bird than the preceding, does not differ in its habits 
at all. It comes to the Middle States about the same 
time, frequents the same localities, and leaves at about 
the same time in autumn. They are more abun- 
dant, however, wander farther from the larger water- 
courses, and nest in swampy sink-holes and about 
quicksand meadows where there are numerous 
springs. They are quicker on their feet than on 
their wings, and can literally walk on water,—that is, 
on floating grass that would not bear their weight as 
a lifeless body. This running over the water is partly 
accomplished by a quick motion of the wings which 
is scarcely noticeable. 
In August and September great numbers of these 
rail-birds leave their more retired nesting-places and 
throng the tide-water marshes, where, associated with 
the soras, they run the gauntlet of a thousand gun- 
ners ; but so numerous are they that their ranks are 
never so depleted that a year’s rest and nesting does 
not restore their numbers. 
The Sora is, in the knowledge of most people, the 
rail. The others are birds either never seen or heard 
of, or chance occurrences, but everybody is sup- 
