RAIL AND REED BIRDS. 



FEW of our birds are as little known to the unscientific, as 

 the species which are comprised in the family of the Rallidce. 

 Migrating altogether by night, and passing their lives among the 

 wet meadows and marshes, they are rarely disturbed, except by 

 the ornithological collector, and for perhaps a month in the au- 

 tumn by the sportsman. 



Yet they are very interesting little birds, active, energetic, and 

 above all inquisitive. At high water they may often be seen in 

 considerable numbers running rapidly about over the floating 

 sedge, the head well thrown back and the short, pointed tail erect 

 and brought as far forward as possible. At such times, if the ob- 

 server will but remain perfectly motionless the nimble little feeders 

 will approach within a few feet of him, and he may note each de- 

 tail of form and coloring. At the least movement, however, all 

 the birds take the alarm and run back to the shelter of the stand- 

 ing grass or rushes whence they came. Their swiftness of foot is 

 surprising, and they splash along over the floating reeds and grass 

 in a most reckless and noisy race. 



That they are not badly frightened, however, is shown by the 

 fact that if all becomes quiet once more they will emerge from 

 their hiding-place almost immediately to inspect the object which 

 alarmed them, and after having satisfied their curiosity, will re- 

 commence feeding in their former jaunty and unconcerned man- 

 ner. While thus engaged they do not confine themselves wholly 

 to satisfying their appetites ; they are not so eager for food that 

 they cannot find time to stop for a little chatter and gossip with 

 one another. Indeed they often indulge in quite protracted con- 

 versations, sometimes in the shrillest and most argumentative 

 tones, and at others in low whispered chuckles that can hardly be 

 heard at the distance of a few feet. Often the birds can be called 

 from their grassy hiding-places by an imitation of their shrill 



