n 
76 THE WILSON BULLETIN—NO: 5. 
human. but with increasing appetite and growing curi- 
osity he became bolder. An earthworm was tossed to the 
floor a few feet away. The rail walked slowly out, picked up 
the worm, then dashed back to cover. After all this was 
repeated a few times with no ill results he stepped out more 
promptly and retired more slowly. From then on our fa- 
miliarity grew. I have had several species (alive) of nearly 
every order represented in Ohio, and have yet to see the bird 
that will not resume its usual actions after it has once be- 
come accustomed to the presence of man. 
A rail which is quite at ease is very different in appearance 
from one that is frightened or at all nervous. Most birds 
of this kind to be seen in taxidermial collections look as if 
they had been “scared stiff’””’—a state of things which is, 
perhaps, consistent enough. But a live, comfortable rail going 
about his own business is as graceful a bird as you could 
find, and plump like a guinea-hen or a Hubbard squash. The 
tail is carried in a horizontal position or droops slightly. On 
the other hand, when filled with apprehension the bird is very 
slim, the head is lowered and extended, and the tail is cocked 
up or is twitched up at every step. All the above in this para- 
graph applies as well to the Virginia Rail, the Coot and the 
Florida Gallinule. (The Sora shown in my drawing is in 
the act of pausing to inspect something on the ground be- 
‘ 
fore him). 
As you know, all rails have long toes which enable them 
to keep up where the walking is soft. Without being in the 
least awkward about it my bird often stepped on his own toes, 
and nearly always stood with the inner pair crossed. When 
walking his movements were quick and noiseless even on the 
bare floor. I could never touch the bird, but his shyness was 
exceeded by his curiosity; and whenever I sat still for a little 
while he would walk round and round my chair, finally jump- 
ing up to my foot, knee, shoulder, and head, pecking at ev- 
ery thing on his way up. All drawing and writing had to be 
done slowly; for any quick movements would scare my sub- 
ject away. 
