VIRGINIAN RAIL. 529 
span of the foot measures upwards of six inches; the inner edge of 
the middle claw is pectinated ; the exterior and middle toes are united 
at the base, for about half an inch, by a membrane. - ; 
The articulations of the vertebre are remarkably long ; the intes- 
tines measure upwards of eight feet, and are very narrow. The male 
and femalé are alike in plumage; both, when of full age, having the 
train equally long. 
—_>———_. 
VIRGINIAN RAIL. —RALLUS VIRGINIANUS. — Fie. 248. 
. Arct. Zool. No. 408. — Edw. 219. — Lath. Syn. iti. p. 228, No. 1, var. A. 
: hte Peale's Museum, No. 4426. 
RALLUS VIRGINIANUS.— Linn xus.¥ 
Rallus Virginianus, Bonap. Synop. p. 334. 
Tus species very much resembles the European Water Rail, (Ral- 
lus aquaticus,) but is smaller, and has none of the slate or lead color 
on the breast, which marks that of the old continent ; its toes are also 
more than proportionably shorter, which, with a few other peculiarities, 
distinguish the species. It is far less numerous in this part of the 
United States than our Common Rail, and, as I apprehend, inhabits 
more remote northern regions. It is frequently seen along the borders 
of our salt marshes, which the other rarely visits; and also breeds 
there, as well as among the meadows that border our large rivers. It 
spreads over'the interior as far west as the Ohio, having myself shot it 
m the Barrens of Kentucky early in May.. The people there observe 
* In my note upon the genus Cre, I mentioned the distinctions existing between 
that genus Gallinula and Rallus. The Virginian Rail, and that following, show 
good examples of the latter form., In their habits they closely agree with the 
aquatic species of Crex, ‘are distributed over all couniries of the world, and in 
general perform partial migrations. : 
When pursued or roaded by a dog, they may be raised once, but the second 
time will be a task of more difficulty, if the ground is an extensive meadow, they 
may be followed for an hour without success; butif there are holes or ditches, they 
will generally seek for one of these, where they conceal themselves beneath some 
sod, or brow, or thicket of bushes, and- may then*be easily taken by the hand. I 
have frequently taken our Common Water Rail in this manner, and sometimes 
with the head only -concealed. ‘They are easily tamed. The structure of the 
feathers on the forehead and crown of the rails is peeuliar, and may be intended 
as a defence to that part from the friction of the strong grass, and reeds amon, 
which they are so constantly running. The rachis of each feather is lengthened, 
and broadened into’ a flat and sharp point, having the appearance of lengthened 
scales; in one or two species, the feathers consist of the rachis alone, presenting a 
horny appearance over the whole forehead. The bastard pinion is furnished with 
a spur, coricealed, however, by the plumage. 
"he form of the Crakes and Gallinules is well adapted for theit peculiar manner 
of life, but in this group is most conspicuous. The legs are placed far behind; the 
body is long, much flattened, and remarkably pliable; and the ease and agilit 
with which they run and thread through the long vegetation of the marshes, 1s 
almost inconceivable to a person. who has not witnessed it. — Ep. 
