THE VIRGINIA RAIL. 473 



the preceding, it locates itself in the fresh-water mead- 

 ows, where, in a tussock of grass or in a pile of drift- 

 weed, it forms its nest. This is nothing but a pile of 

 weeds or grass, which it arranges in a compact manner, 

 and hollows to the depth of perhaps an inch or an inch and 

 a half. 



The eggs are from six to ten in number, usually about 

 seven. They are ovoidal in form, and generally seem to be 

 like a miniature of those of the Clapper Rail : some speci- 

 mens, collected in Cambridge, Mass., are of a deep-buff color ; 

 but none approach the color of the Carolina Rail sufficiently 

 to be mistaken for them. They are spotted with small 

 marks of reddish and brown, and with a few obscure spots 

 of lilac. They vary in their dimensions from 1.30 by .96 to 

 1.23 by .90 inch. 



This species is undoubtedly more abundant in New 

 England, particularly in its southern portions, than most per- 

 sons generally believe. It is of very retiring habits ; and as 

 it selects the almost inaccessible meadows and boggy swamps 

 for its summer home, and, when approached, quickly retreats 

 into the farthest recesses, I am not surprised that it is in 

 most cases overlooked. I have found it breeding in many 

 localities in Massachusetts, and have no hesitation in call- 

 ing it one of the commonest of our Grallatores. It feeds 

 only during the twilight and in early dawn, and remains 

 concealed in the grass during the greater part of the day. 

 Its food consists of various insects and worms, such as are 

 abundant in the localities which it frequents. It leaves New 

 England for the South by the 10th of September. 



PORZANA, ViEiLLOT. 



Porzana, Vieillot, Anal., p. 61 (1816), 61. (Type Rallus porzana, L.) 

 Bill shorter than the head, compressed, straight; nostrils in a wide groove, with 

 a large membrane; wings moderate; primaries longer than tertiaries; tail short; 

 tarsus about the length of the middle toe; toes long; inner toe slightly shorter than 

 the outer; general form compressed and slender; legs rather robust. 



