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of this unexciting sport, and returns to the shore, with little to boast 

 of save numbers. 



Its food consists chiefly of small crabs, and aquatic insects. 

 In the latter part of the season it is in good condition and well 

 tasted, and by some considered superior to tender chickens. 



RALLUS VIRGINIANUS— LINN. 



VIRGINIAN RAIL. 



Rallus Virginianus, Wils. Amer. Orn. 



Rallus Virginianus, Bonap Syn. 



Lesser Clapper Rail, Nutt. Man. 



Virginian Rail, Rallus Virginianus, And. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill, along the gap, one inch and three quar- 

 ters, length of tarsi one inch and an eighth ; length from point of 

 bill to the end of tail feathers ten inches, of wing four. Female 

 about one inch less than the male. A white line from the base of 

 the upper mandible over the eye ; crown, hind neck and back, 

 brownish-black, streaked with olive-brown ; wings brown ; coverts 

 reddish-brown, lesser coverts barred with white ; lower tail coverts, 

 sides of the body and lower wing coverts barred with black and 

 white ; abdomen dull white; region of the vent dusky, barred with 

 white; breast and fore part of the neck reddish-brown ; throat dull 

 white ; sides of the head grayish-blue — darker before the eye. 



This species is found in the course of the year throughout most 

 parts of the United States — frequenting the borders of the sea shore, 

 as well as the fresh water streams of the interior, for which it seems 

 to have a great predeliction. It is known to gunners and sports- 

 men by the name of Fresh Water Marsh or " Mud Hen." It in- 

 habits low situations, usually selecting the reedy margins of water 

 courses and rivulets ; and I have observed it on the low salt marsh- 

 es along the sea coast. In habits and plumage, it bears a greater 

 resemblance to the great Red-breasted Rail, (R. elegans,) than it 

 does to R. crepitans, to which its action and manners are not unlike. 

 Sheltered among the reeds and rushes, it escapes observation, except 

 by those who are familiar with its habits, or when accidentally met 



