GRALLA2 — RALLID.E — RALLUS. 
261 
THE MUD-HEN. 
Rallus virginianus, 
PLATE C. FIG. 223. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Rallus virginianus, Lin. Gmelin, Vol. 1, p. 716. 
R . pensylvaniciis. Brisson, Av. p. 138. 
R limicola , Vieillot. R. virginianus , Wilson, Am. Ornithology, Vol. 7, p. 109, pi. 62, fig. 2. 
R . virginia7ius. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 334. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 205. Audubon, 
Birds of Am. Vol. 5, p. 174, pi. 311. Gikaud, Birds of Long island, p. 208. 
Characteristics. Black, skirted with brown ; beneath rufous. Throat white. Wing-coverts 
chesnut; first quill entirely black. Length, 10'0. 
Description. Bill deep at the base, slightly curved, slender, compressed, 1 • 7 long. The 
first and sixth quills subequal. Tarsus 1'3 long, compressed. Feathers of the forehead 
with the shaft elongated beyond the web. 
Color. Deep brownish black above; the feathers streaked with olive brown. A whitish 
line extending from the base of the bill over the eye ; lores and space behind the eye bluish 
grey. Wings blackish brown; the coverts reddish brown or chesnut. Throat white ; neck 
and breast reddish brown. Vent and under tail-coverts dusky brown, barred with white; 
feathers of the tibia lightest in front. 
Length, 9 1 5 - 10‘5. 
This little Mud-hen, or Virginian Rail, is found throughout the State. The eggs are 
dusky white, with brownish specks chiefly about the largest end. It occurs with us from May 
to September, living chiefly along the course of fresh water streams and morasses, but has 
also been observed along the coast. Feeds on worms, aquatic insects, freshwater shells, and 
the seeds of grasses. It ranges from 24° to 58° north latitude, and is a winter resident from 
Carolina southwardly. 
GENUS ORTYGOMETRA. Aldrovandus. Leach. 
With most of the characters of the preceding genus. Bill shorter than the head, compressed, 
tapering, acute at the point, much higher than wide at the base. Upper mandible furrowed 
at the base only, slightly curved at the tip. Nostrils medial, linear. 
Obs. This corresponds with the genus Crex of Uliger, Bechstein and Bonaparte, and 
embraces two small species in this State. 
