676 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



They appear as soon in the northern part of the State as they do in 

 the southern. They usually arrive between April 15 and May 5, but 

 Mr. Hadley noted them at Kichmond April 11, 1897. The migration, 

 however, continues past the middle of May. I have taken them at 

 Brookville May 16, 1888. They are not paired when they reach their 

 breeding grounds, and their numbers and habits vary to meet the con- 

 ditions found. In 1890 the season was favorable. They arrived at 

 English Lake in some numbers by May 4, and were there found in the 

 open meadows, where hunters were shooting snipe. They were never 

 known to be as abundant as they were May 11. The majority had ap- 

 parently just arrived, and were scattered through the marshes. They 

 did not seem to be paired. In 1891 but a few were found by May 10. 

 Owing to the low stage of the water, they seemed to be located in cer- 

 tain parts of the marsh, and not so generally distributed as they usually 

 are when they first arrive. In May they frequent the meadows back 

 from the marshes, where they probably breed (Deane). 



Dr. F. Stein informs me they are not rare in Gibson and Knox coun- 

 ties. Possibly some remain and breed through the summer. It is 

 said 14 to 20 eggs are sometimes found in one nest, arranged at least 

 two deep, and that the bird begins sitting before the set is complete, 

 so the young hatch at different times. As the summer wears away they 

 begin to wander southward, frequenting not only marshes, but mead- 

 ows, clover fields, and wheat stubble. One was killed with a whip in 

 a meadow near Brookville, July 15, 1886, by M. A. Remy. August 13, 

 1897, my son, Will, brought me a Sora which was found near the tele- 

 phone line. Perhaps it was killed by flying against the wires. 

 Throughout the latter part of August and most of September they are 

 passing. Meanwhile the great numbers of old and young are collect- 

 ing in northern Indiana and other States until the marshes fairly 

 swarm with them. This is the season for Rail shooting. They are 

 very sensitive to cold. A sudden heavy frost comes, and the myriad 

 voices of the marsh one day are silenced and their owners flown when 

 the sun of the morrow rises. Generally all are gone before the end of 

 September. I have, however, taken them at Brookville October 2, 

 1887, and October 14, 1890. Mr. J. G. Parker, Jr., informs me that 

 some remain through October in the vicinity of Chicago. 



Rail shooting on the tide-water marshes of the Atlantic coast is a 

 popular sport, and many there are who avail themselves of it. This 

 is only true to a very limited extent in this State. Most people do not 

 look upon the Rail as a game bird. In fact, it is known to but very 

 few of our people at all. Its short, rounded wings and inadequate 

 powers of flight would lead one to question whether it could cover the 



