AMERICAN RAIL. 



181 



In running the Rail flits up its tail like the water-hen, 

 and on the slightest alarm hides among the long grass or 

 reeds, away from which it seldom strays very far. When 

 forced to rise, it flies only short distances and very 

 awkwardly and with apparent difficulty, keeping near 

 the ground, with its legs hanging. Like most of its 

 order it feeds chiefly on worms, grubs, and insects. The 

 eggs of this Rail are very beautiful, from eight to ten 

 in number, and of a cream colour, spotted with purple 

 and red. It migrates southwards in winter, and, I 

 believe, breeds in the salt swamps of the States. 



FALLS OF MONTMOREtfCT. 



