VIRGINIA RAIL 



212. Rallus virginianus. 9.5 in. 



Coloration almost exactly like that of the King Rail, 

 but the bird is much smaller. Like that species, this 

 one prefers fresh water marshes. They have a great 

 aversion to flying, and, like other rails, will trust to 

 their legs for safety, should danger threaten; probably 

 no other birds are as dexterous as the rails in thread- 

 ing their way through the close standing rushes. Al- 

 though they do not have webbed feet, they can swim 

 fairly well, and also dive, but they do so only when 

 they are forced to. They look extremely awkward as 

 they run over the trash on the marsh, their head and 

 neck erect and extended, with their head rapidly turn- 

 ing from side to side as though looking for a place of 

 safety. 



Notes. A guttural, rattling " cut-cut-cut-ee." 



Nest. Of grasses, on the ground or in tufts of rushes ; 

 eggs creamy-white, specked with brown. (1.25x.90); 

 May. June. 



Range. Breeds in the northern half of the United 

 States and southern Canada; winters in southern U. S. 



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