RALLTD.E — THE RAILS — RALLUS. 



365 



may be 

 linens have 

 sometimes 

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 3, E. W. 

 ^lusi'iiin 

 the lower 

 .. There 

 e species, 

 uiiig (iiiite 



Uy, being 

 ida to tlie 

 occiii's in 

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 tates. It 

 given by 

 ippeavs to 

 uentionctl 

 1859. on 

 nontbs in 



(liffpvpnt parts of Mexico. It was obtained near Matamoras, in August, by Mr. Dres- 

 ser ; and is given by Dr. Heerniann as occurring at San Antonio. A single specimen 

 oi' tliis bird has been taken in IJcrnuida. Mr. J. A. Allen found this s[)ecie« very 

 common in the marshes and low lands in the Valley of (treat .Salt Lake; and Mr. 

 Kidgway mentions having seen two or three individuals in the vicinity of I'yramid 

 Lake, among the sedges on the banks of the sloughs and ponds. It is only ])artially 

 migratory in the wiiitei', even in phuu's where the winter is (juite severe. A specimen 

 was taken by Captain Hendire near I'ort ^Valla Walla, Jan. .'{. 1S79. 



Although Dr. Cooper never obtained any himself, he states that this bird is found 

 tliroughout the marshes of California, chieHy those of the interior, and as far to the 

 nortli at least as Cape Flattery. It is undoubtedly resident in California throughout 

 the year, as Dr. Suckley obtained a specimen near tlie Straits of Fuca in January. 



iMr. Boardman informs me that it is found as far east as Calais, and even breeds 

 in tiiat neighborhood, although it is not common. It was once cpiite abundant in the 

 vicinity of IJoston in all our marshes and fresh-water meadows, and more especially 

 (in the margins of brooks. In June, 18.'i7, I discovered a nest crontaining ten eggs 

 witliin the present limits of Hoston, and only a few rods from a recently-constructed 

 I'aih'oad track. Mr. Allen included it among the l)irds of Western Massachusetts, 

 Imt did not regard it as being of common occurrence there. On May IG, 1859, 

 Mr. Frederick Ware found a nest, with nine eggs, in the Fresh Pond marshes. West 

 Cambridge. 



Although found sparingly present, diu'ing the bi'eeding-season, along our entire 

 Atlantic coast, from Charleston, S. C, to Eastport, it is far more almndant in the 

 fresh-water meadows of the interior. On Long Island, according to Giraud, it is 

 known to hunters and si)ortsmen by the name of the '• Fresh-water ]\Iarsh-hen '" or 

 "Mud-hen." It is there only found in low situations, usually selecting the reedy 

 margins of watercourses and rivulets. Giraud also met with it on the low salt- 

 umrshes along the sea-coast. In its habits, as well as in its plumage, it bears a greater 

 resemblance to liallus eler/ans than it does to E. r cjntans. With all the movements, 

 actions, and manners of the former its own are very much in unison. Hiding, as it 

 does, among reeds and rushes, it escapes observation, except on the part of tliose who 

 are familiar with its habits. 



Like all of this family, the Virginia Kail is very reluctant to take wing, and when 

 pursued by dogs it trusts to its legs until they cease to be sufficient. It runs with 

 great swiftness, and is capable of continuing a very rapid and irregidar course through 

 the close grass for some time. Unless followed by a very active dog. it is always 

 able successfully to evade pur.suit without ex[)osing itself to the sportsman's gun. 



It is not often observed on the Avater, yet it c^an swim and dive very well Avhen 

 driven to this element for safety. It seems to prefer wet ground, or water so shallow 

 tiiat it can wade through without being obliged to swim. The food of this species is 

 sii.d to consist of aquatic insects, worms, snails, and the seeds of various kinds of 

 grasses that grow on marshy ground and in the low fresh-water meadows which it 

 f'reipients. The flesh of this bird is not ])articularly delicate, yet it is frequently 

 brought to the New York market in the month of April. 



WUson speaks of it as far less numerous than the Common Eail in New Jersey, 

 though frequently seen along the borders of salt-marshes, as well as among the 

 meadows on the banks of the larger rivers. He met with it on the Barrens of Ken- 

 tucky, but was told by the inhabitants that it Avas seen in wet places only in the 

 si)ring, going north during the breeding-season. It feeds less on vegetable and more 

 on animal food than the Common Sora, and on this account its flesh is much inferior 



