SORA RAIL. 253 



which they feel at any other period. Thus, in its movement southward, 

 the Sora, Kke all other Rails, when returning with its progeny, which are 

 yet feeble and unable to undergo much fatigue, proceeds considerably 

 slower than in spring. Hence its appearance in autumn, in multitudes, 

 in various places, where it is enticed by an abundance of food and com- 

 parative security, to tarry for some time, and recruit its strength. Thus, 

 in September and part of October, the Sora is found in great numbers on 

 the borders of our great lakes, feeding on wild oats, and on the reedy 

 margins of the rivers of our Middle Districts. Several natural causes 

 prevent birds of this species from following the sea-coast of the United 

 States, while migrating either in spring or in autumn, the principal of 

 which is the absence there of their favourite Zizania marshes, which are 

 but very rarely met with to the east of the State of New York. This is 

 probably the cause of the great rarity of this species in Massachusetts, 

 whilst, so far as I know, none are ever found to the eastward of that 

 State. These observations are corroborated by those of my friend Tho- 

 mas MacCulloch of Pictou, who never met with one of these birds du- 

 ring many years' residence in that part of Nova Scotia. 



Having seen flocks of Soras winging their way close over the waters 

 of the Gulf of Mexico, and between Cape Florida and the main shores 

 of the Carolinas, in the month of April, when they were moving direct- 

 ly towards Cape Lookout, I have very little doubt that many return 

 in the same track, in the end of October, when the young, well fed and 

 strengthened, are able to follow their parents on wing, even across that 

 large extent of water. I shall now dismiss this part of the subject, by 

 adding, in confirmation of their capability of protracted flight, that some 

 of these birds, when accidentally separated from their flock, have sup- 

 ported themselves on wing until they have met with vessels several hun- 

 dred miles from land ; and facts of this kind have been announced by 

 persons of well known respectability. 



During the autumnal months, a goodly number of Soras are found in 

 the rice-fields and fresh-water marshes of the Carolinas. Sometimes also 

 they have been shot in salt-water marshes, in spring, while on their north- 

 ward migration. At this period they are very silent, until forced to fly. 

 In those States none are seen during summer. Very few, it appears, re- 

 main in any part of the Middle Districts. My friend John Bachman 

 however, was shewn some eggs of this bird, that had been found in the 

 meadows below Philadelphia ; and whilst I was in the company of my 



