THE VIRGINIA RAIL 229 



feathers, these colors fading to a grayish tinge 

 on the edges. Everywhere the colors are dull 

 and uncertain, shading and blending gradually 

 one into the other. Below, a pale yellowish 

 brown, growing grayish on the throat. Flanks, 

 axillars and linings of the wings dusky gray 

 with small narrow bars of white. The whole 

 tone of the bird is ashy gray. Wing quills and 

 tail dark brown; eyelid and a small line over 

 the eye white. Legs and feet dull greenish. 

 Length from fourteen to sixteen inches; extent 

 about twenty inches ; female a little less. Being 

 more of an animal feeder than is the sora its 

 flavor is hardly as good as that of the more 

 common bird, though by no means to be de- 

 spised. 



THE VIRGINIA RAIL. 



(Rallus virginianus.) 



Inhabiting the same territory as the sora, or 

 Carolina rail, — though preferring those spots 

 where the fresh water springs bubble up 

 through the mucky ooze of the marsh, — is the 

 next most numerous species, the Virginia Rail. 

 This is a very showy bird, somewhat larger and 

 more brilliantly colored than the sora, and fur- 



