190 THE CAROLINA RAIL. 



Georgia, by the close of February ; and, on the 2d of May 

 Wilson observed them in the low watery meadows belo^ 

 Philadelphia. In the remote fur countries of the north, up 

 to the 62d parallel, they are common through the summer, 

 and were observed by Dr. Richardson to be particularly 

 abundant on the banks of the small lakes that skirt the 

 Saskatchewan plains. In thf> vast reedy marshes, swamps, 

 ,and lagoons of these desolate regions, the greater part of 

 the species are no doubt reared, as but few of them are ever 

 known to breed in the warmer parts of the continent, and 

 the history of their manners, at the period of incubation, id, 

 therefore, still a blank. 



The observations of persons not conversant with the nice 

 distinctions necessary in natural history, ought to be received 

 with caution, as they might easily confound the mere young 

 of the present and the preceding species, as one and the 

 lame. The alleged nest, eggs, and young birds covered 

 with a black down, mentioned by Wilson, agree perfectly 

 with the Virginian Rail ; but the length of the bill, and 

 any other discriminating particulars, are wholly omitted. 



We may conclude, therefore, up to the present time, that 

 the actual young and nest of the Soree are yet unknown, 

 and that all which has been said on this subject is but con- 

 jecture, or a misapplication of facts belonging to the pr»- 

 eeding species. 



Like the other migrating waders, the Rails, accompanied 

 hj their swarming broods, bred in the north and wes^ 



