40. ORNITHOLOGY. 
the Southern States, are highly esteemed on account of their deli- 
cate flavor. Here they are not generally known ; and as they 
possess the habit of skulking through the grass, and rushes, and 
can hardly be induced to take wing, even when not more than a 
few feet distant, they are not likely to come under the frequent 
notice of a casual observer. The Rails migrate during the night. 
They lay from four to five eggs, of a white ground color, speckled 
with light brown ; the nest is secreted in the thickest part of the 
rushes and bog, that cover our marshes. 
The Coot and Galinule are sometimes found in company with 
the rails. They are known to hunters by the name of Mud Hens» 
they breed in our marshes, and are polygamus in their habits, of- 
ten three or four birds laying their eggs in the same nest. These 
are generally in the most conspicious places, but are so disguised 
that an inexperienced person would suppose, upon seeing one, 
that it never was intended for a nest, but was merely a pile of 
dead rushes, or rubbish, thrown promiscously together by the 
action of the water ; upon removing several layers of this material 
the eggs are found from six to seven inches below the surface. 
Of the Wild Goose, we have only one species that visits us; 
this is known as the Canada Goose, and passes regularly every 
spring on its way to the north; and in the autumn, it is again seen 
returning to the south, to spend the winter. This bird was found 
to be numerous in the early times in this part of Canada, and it 
was then usual to see large numbers of them feeding in the marsh- 
es and rivers. This, however, of late years has become a circum- 
stance of very rare occurrence. Occasionally flocks are seen, and 
are immediately recognized by their peculiar form of flight, as 
well as by the continual hanking or clanking noise that they in- 
cessantly keep up ; but they are now no longer seen in large num- 
bers feeding about our inland lakes and marshes, nor is this the 
only change that has taken place in reference to large aquatic 
birds. The Pelican and Swan were once numerous, and made their 
regular visits each spring and autumn, enlivening the bays and 
waters of this portion of Lake Ontario, but have long since ceas- 
ed to make their appearance. 
The Duck family embrace a large and varied class of very 
beautiful plumaged birds. Some of these have, in addition, to 
