KALLUS V]RG1N1ANUS. 429 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average BMMITCnMBteoflfMoiaMB* from Eastern North America. Length, 9'2S; ritretch, 13*50; wing, 3*06; Mil, l'l. r >; 

 hill, l'-|."i; t:\rsus, 1-P.-J. I.<)t)i:<"-t spr< iinen, 9'78; greatest extent of wing, I4MMI; longf-st wing, 4 30, tail, 1'75; bill, 1(12; 

 tarsus, r 10. Shortest specimen, 9'50; smallest extentof wing, 13-00; shortest wing, 3'45; tail, 1 - 50; hill, 1 25; tarsus, l-jri. 



DKSdtllTloX OF NESTS AND EUGS. 



Neits, placed on the ground in marshy places, composed of grass, weeds, etc. Eygt, from eight to ten in number, 

 ovnl in form, creamy in color, sparcely spotted and dotted with reddish-brown and lilac. Dimensions from '90s 1'20 to '95 

 xl-30. 



HABITS. 



One hot July day, when I was a small boy, I was lying at full length in a meadow, 

 in order that I might quench my thirst from a cool spring that was so thickly surrounded 

 by water docks, grass, and other herbage, as to be nearly hidden. I had taken a long 

 draught, when a chuckling sound attracted my attention, and looking up, I saw what then 

 appeared to me to be a singular bird, with along, sword-shaped bill, standing by the edge 

 of the spring within a foot of my head, quietly gazing at me. As I raised my head, he 

 gave- a ([iiiek nod or two, as if to say, "That's all right"." then turned and walked slowly 

 away, with a stately, swinging gate, evidently satisfied that I was too small to be consid- 

 ered at all dangerous. It was some years after this event, that I saw a Virginia Rail with 

 his proper cognomen attached, but I at once recognized the bird as being similar to the 

 guardian of the spring in the meadow. The Virginia Rails inhabit the wet, fresh water 

 marshes from Canada to Florida, but appear to prefer those which are partly grown up to 

 bushes. This propensity I could not explain, until I saw one in the aviary of Mr. August 

 Koch who has fitted up an abode for captive birds with great care, having a fountain, mini- 

 ature pond, rock work with grottos, all embellished with numerous plants, among which 

 are some vines that twine up to the ceiling. One of the most attractive birds, among the 

 iiianv which lived in this enclosure, was the Rail mentioned, which was quite tame, and 

 which evidently behaved much as it would have in its native swamp. It fed readily, wad- 

 ed about in the water, and when slightly alarmed, would take refuge among the surround- 

 ing ferns, etc.; but what surprised me most, was to see it climb up the vines, which it did 

 with the utmost ease, clinging to the branches with its long claws, and in this way, it oft- 

 en reached the top, some ten feet from the ground. The bird was evidently hunting for 

 insects and this habit was probably acquired when among the bushes in the meadows. 



When only slightly alarmed, the Virginia Rails utter a chuckling sound, but if badly 

 frightened or greatly annoyed, especially during the nesting season, when they have young, 

 they will emit a sharp squeak, but. their regular notes are harsh screams, usually given at 

 night. These Rails breed early in June, building on some slightly elevated spot, either 

 in the grass or among the bushes, and when their domiciles arc approached, the birds qui- 

 etly leave them. The young leave the nest as soon as hatched, and run nimbly through 

 the grass. They become scattered somewhat during the day, but toward night, they will 

 utter sharp cries, in order that the adults may know of their whereabouts, and then the 

 entire brood will gather beneath the parent for warmth. I have, on sever.il occasions, cap- 

 tured these little black Rails in the evening, having ascertained where they were by hear- 

 ing them peeping. When taken young, they become very tame, feeding readily upon bits 

 of meat or insects, behaving much like young chickens. They arc, however, very delicate 



