HERONS, RAILS, 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- 



