190 \VADI^'G BIRDS. 



up to the 6 2d parallel they are common through the summer, 

 and were observed by Dr. Richardson to be particularly abun- 

 dant on the banks of the small lakes that skirt the Saskatche- 

 wan plains. In the 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 is therefore still a blank. 

 The observations of persons not conversant with the nice dis- 

 tinctions 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 same. 

 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 conjecture or a misapplication of facts 

 belonging to the preceding species. 



Like the other migrating waders, the Rails, accompanied by 

 their swarming broods, bred in the North and West, begin to 

 show themselves on the reedy borders of the Delaware and 

 other large waters of the Middle States, whose still and sluggish 

 streams, spreading out over muddy flats, give birth to an abun- 

 dant crop of the seeds of the Wild Rice, now the favorite food 

 of the Rails and the Rice Birds. On first arriving from the labor 

 and privation incident to their migrations, they are lean, and 

 little valued as food ; but as their favorite natural harvest begins 

 to swell out and approach maturity, they rapidly fatten, and from 

 the middle of September to the same time in October they 

 are in excellent order for the table, and eagerly sought after 

 wherever a gun can be obtained and brought into operation. 



Walking by the borders of these reedy rivers in ordinary 

 seasons, you hear in all directions the crowding Rails squeak- 

 ing like young puppies. If a stone be thrown in amongst them, 

 there is a general outcry through the reeds ; a confused and 



