418 RAIL, 
The steadiness of its horizontal flight, however, renders it no difficult 
mark to the sportsman, particularly when cssisted by his sagacious 
pointer. The flesh of this bird is peculiarly white, tender, and 
delicate, unequalled, in these qualities, by that of any other of its 
genus in the United States. 4g 
The Quail, as it is called in New England, or the Partridge, as in 
Pennsylvania, is nine inches long, and fourteen inches in extent; the 
bill is black; line over the eye, down the neck, and whole chin, pure 
white; bounded by a band of black, which descends and spreads 
broadly over the throat; the eye is dark hazel; crown, neck, and 
upper part of the breast, red brown; sides of the neck, spotted 
with white and black ona reddish brown ground; back, scapulars, 
and lesser coverts, red brown, interraixed with ash, and sprinkled 
with black; tertials, edged with yellowish white ; wings, plain dusky ; 
lower part of the breast and belly, pale yellowish white, beautifully: 
marked with numerous curving spots, or arrowheads of black; tail, 
ash, sprinkled with reddish brown; legs, very pale ash. 
The female differs in having the chin and sides of the head yel- 
lowish brown, in which dress it has been described as a different kind. 
There is, however, only one species of Quail at present known with- 
in the United States. 
Shek 9 Rat Yoh. men~ Wel IPI ESF ay 
RAIL.—RALLUS CAROLINUS.— Fie. 193. Sn = ebm 
Soree, Cutesb. i. 70. — Arct, Zool. p. 491, No. 409. — Little American Water-hen. 
Edw. 144. — Le Rile de Virginie, Buff. viii. 165. ind nay 4 
CREX CAROLINUS. — Bonararte.* 
Rallus (Crex) Carolinus, Bonap. Synop. 335. 
OF all our Jand or water fowl, perhaps none afford the sportsmen 
more agreeable amusement, or a more delicious repast, than the little 
bird now before us. This amusement s indeed temporary, lasting 
only two or three hours in the day, for four or five weeks in each 
* Almost every ornithologist has been at variance with regard to the propriety 
and limitation of the genera Rallus, Crex, and Gallinula. They appear to be 
sufficiently distinct, and not to run-more into each other than many other groups, 
and, in the present state of ornithology, their separation is indispensable. Cyvexr 
may be characterized by the bill shorter than the head; strong at the base, and 
tapering; the forehead feathered; the Common Land Rail, or Corncrake of 
Europe, and our present species, may be taken as very good typical examples. 
In Gallinula, the forehead is defended with a flat cartilaginous shield, and the 
habits are more open. In Radlus, the bill is longer. than the head, and compara- 
tively slender. , : ; 
In habit they nearly agree ; timid, and fond of concealment during the day, they 
frequent low meadows or marshy grounds, and run swiftly: the Common Land 
Rail will beat a good runner for a short way, as I have sometimes experienced. 
They run with the body near the ground, and make their turns with astonishing 
celerity. When raised or surprised during the day, they fly clumsily; but in the 
evening, and when that faculty is exerted with their wil, it is much more actively 
. 
a 
