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Bird - Lore 



the flesh shows through. The outer digit of the wing is armed with a tiny claw, 

 and they use the wing and claw to help themselves over obstacles and in 

 climbing into the nest. The bill is fleshy horn-color with a black ring around 

 the middle, the tip being white on the upper and black on the lower mandible. 



Later in the day the female met me about three rods from the nest, and no 

 little ones could be found except the one last hatched which was still in the 

 nest. A few days later none of the family was to be found. 



Late in July both parents and young will be found on the muddy shore 

 where they feed and dodge back into the flags at the least sign of danger. At 

 this time the young are about half grown and still keep their downy appear- 

 ance. When feeding, the mother comes out on the mud, a young one follow- 

 ing, and when she finds a choice morsel it is there to receive it. Back in the 

 flags the other young are following, uttering plaintive peeps. As soon as one 

 is fed it returns to the flags and another one comes out to take its place. 



Here on the mud and in the flags they can be found every day, the young 

 developing rapidly, the down giving way to black and dark brown feathers, 

 until early in October when they leave for the South. 



VIRGINIA RAIL, FEEDING 



