BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 81 



Rail, Virginia (continued) 



bird escapes its enemies quite readily by running through the 

 reeds and rushes. Note the compressed form of the body for 

 slipping between the reeds. How does it compare with the 

 herons? 



Call no. 

 Nu RVl Nept with Nii>g Eggs in Reeds Bailey 



The Virginia rail builds its nest in rather wetter positions 

 than does the Carolina. 



Nu RV3 Adult Incubating, Side View. Long Brancli. (June 1911) 



Bailey 

 Note how high the nest is built. Why? 



Nu RV4 Adult Incubating, Front View. The marsh at Branchport. 

 (June 11, 1908) Burtch 



The young rails begin to run about almost as soon as they 

 are hatched. When this nest was found, the mother bird left 

 it and was followed by two or three of the young that were out 

 of the shell. While focusing the camera on the nest, the bird 

 came back carrying a young one in her beak, deposited it in 

 the nest and settled down on it while several plates were exposed. 

 She picked the fingers of the photographer and changed position 

 when approached. 



Nu RV5 Three Young Birds and Five Unhatched Eggs in Nest. 

 Long Branch. (June 1911) Bailey 



The young birds are entirely black but change their color 

 later. Note one of the eggs partially hatched and the egg tooth 

 on the bill that projects. 



Nu RV6 Adult Feeding in Marsh. Branch-port. (July 23, 1911) 



Burtch 



Very characteristic. Rails feed on aquatic animals and on 

 seeds and tender shoots of plants. Note that the bird does not 

 sink far into the soft ooze. 



Nu RV7 Adult Hunting for Food with Young Bird Following. The 

 marsh at Branchport. (July 23, 1911) Burtch 



Only one young bird followed the adult at one time ; the others 

 kept back in the flags until she found some food. This species 



