256 SORA RAIL. 



of Gallinules, and if they apprehend danger in consequence of any suspi- 

 cious sight or sound, they run off with great speed. Their notes ai-e 

 shrill and short, but reiterated, like those of Rallus crepitans, although 

 by no means so loud and disagreeable. When wounded they dive well 

 at the approach of the sportsman, and sometimes cling to the roots of the 

 grasses for a few moments, but more usually rise under the cover of the 

 floating leaves. Some persons still believe that these birds cannot be 

 drowned ; and this notion tempted my friend John Bachman to make 

 the experiment. In a note of his now before me, he says : — " I once, in 

 company with some naturalists of Philadelphia, tried two experiments 

 upon two Soras that had been slightly wounded in the wing, to ascertain 

 how long they could live under the water. They were placed in a covered 

 basket, which was sunk in the river. One remained fifteen, the other 

 eight minutes, under water ; and on being taken out, they were both 

 found dead. We placed them in the sini for several days, but, I need 

 hardly say, they did not revive.'' 



The most curious habit or instinct of this species is the nicety of sense 

 by which they can ascertain the last moment they can remain at any of 

 the feeding grounds at which they tarry in autumn. One day, you may 

 see or hear the Soras in their favourite marshes, you may be aware of 

 their presence in the dusk of evening ; but when you return to the place 

 early next morning, they are all gone. Yesterday the weather was mild, 

 to-day it is cold and raw ; and no doubt the Soras were aware that a 

 change was at hand, and secured themselves from its influence by a prompt 

 movement vmder night. It is probable that these sudden removals gave 

 rise to the idea of their diving; into the mud. 



Rallds CAROLiNUS, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 263. — Ch. Bonaparte^ Synopsis of 



Birds of the United States, p. 334. 

 Gallinula CAROLINA, Lath. Ind. Omith. vol. ii. p. 771. 



Hail, Rallus carolinus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. vi. p. 24. pi 48. fig. 2. Male. 

 Carolina Rail, Xuttall, ]\Ianual, vol. ii. p. 208. 



Adult Male. Plate CCXXXIII. Fig. 1. 



Bill shorter than the head, rather stout, deep, compressed, tapering. 

 Upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, being slightly con- 

 vex towards the end, the ridge flattish for a very short space at the base, 

 very slightly extended on the forehead, narrow in the rest of its extent ; 



