The Summer Life of the Virginia Rail 



247 



leaving the nest the mother came back and called softly, when, as if by magic, 

 little animated balls of black appeared to spring up all around and roll to her. 

 I caught ten of them, and, putting them into one of my foot-tracks in the soft 

 mud, they remained quietly until the mother came and called, then, peeping 

 faintly, they tried to climb out. Failing to call them to her, she came and 

 picked one from the pit and carried it away into the flags. I followed at once 

 but before I could catch up with her she had dropped it and came back to meet 



WHEN FEEDING THE MOTHER CAME OUT ON THE MUD, A YOUNG ONE 



FOLLOWING HER 



me. I found the Httle one where she had dropped it, lying on its back kick- 

 ing and struggling to rise. Again she came and carried another one away, 

 then came back and called softly kiu kiu kiu kiu, ending with the grunting 

 noise. Two of the little ones managed to cHmb out and ran toward her when, 

 calling as she went, she led them into the flags where she remained quietly 

 for some time. During all of this time the male kept to cover, showing him- 

 self but a few times as he dodged in and out among the flags. The young are 

 born with their eyes open and gain strength so rapidly that they are able to 

 leave the nest before they are fairly dry. They are covered with long, silky, 

 jet-black down, rather thin on the top of the head and on the wing where 



