RALLIDA : RAILS. GALLINULES, COOTS 
212. Rallus virginianus 
VIRGINIA RAIL. 9 inches 
Adult. Above, streaked, dark brown and olive; sides of head 
gray, line from eye to bill white ; wings reddish fear ; short tail 
held erect, white underneath ; bill reddish, long and curved. Be- 
low, breast rich chestnut brown ; flanks black, barred with white. 
Immature. Similar but throat w hitish ; breast blackish. Found 
in open fresh water marshes secreting itself in the reeds and 
grasses, runs and looks like atiny hen. Note. “ Cut, cutta, cutta.’ 
Nest. On the ground in a meadow or bog. 
Breeds. Throughout, commonly in southern and central part. 
April to October. 
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