146 THE SORA RAIL. 



requiem. The Pelican, too, has ceased to tear its own breast to gorge its 

 voracious young. Students of nature have gradually rectified the various 

 errors into which our ancestors had fallen; and we should now just as readily 

 expect to see a shoal of fishes issuing from beneath the plough, as to see a 

 flock of Rails emerge from the mud, shake themselves, and fly off. This 

 subject, then, being disposed of, I have now to relate to you the result of my 

 observations on the habits of the Sora. 



This bird, which I think might have been named the Pennsylvanian or 

 Virginian Rail, enters the Union from the shores of Mexico, early in March, 

 when many are to be seen in the markets of New Orleans. Some reach 

 their northern destination by ascending along the margins of our western 

 streams, or by crossing the country directly, in the manner of the Wood- 

 cock; while those which proceed along the coast shorten their journey as 

 much as possible by flying across the headlands of the numerous inlets or 

 bays of our southern districts, retiring or advancing more slowly according 

 to the state of the weather. Thus, those which cross the peninsula of 

 Florida, through the marshes and lagoons that lead to the head waters of the 

 St. John's River, instead of travelling round the shores of Georgia and 

 South Carolina, fly directly across towards Cape Lookout. It is nevertheless 

 true, that a certain number of these birds follow the sinuosities of the shores, 

 for I found some in the markets of Charleston, in the month of April, that 

 had been killed in the immediate neighbourhood of that city, and I obtained 

 others in various parts; but the number of these is very small compared with 

 that of those which cross at once. When their passage takes place, either 

 during calm weather or with a favourable wind, the fortunate travellers 

 pursue their journey by entering Pimlico Sound, and following the inner 

 margins of the outward banks of this part of the coast until they reach Cape 

 Henry. From thence some ascend the Chesapeake, while others make for 

 the mouth of the Delaware, and these perhaps again meet on the borders of 

 Lake Ontario, or the waters of the St. Lawrence, after which they soon 

 enter those portions of the country in which they breed, and spend a short 

 but agreeable season. 



Every person acquainted with the general movements of birds either 

 during spring, when they pass northwards, or the autumnal months, when 

 they are on their way to milder climes, is aware that, at the former period, 

 their anxiety to reach the place of breeding is much greater than that which 

 they feel at any other period. Thus, in its movement southward, the Sora, 

 like all other Rails, when returning with its progeny, which are yet feeble 

 and unable to undergo much fatigue, proceeds considerably slower than in 

 spring. Hence its appearance in autumn, in multitudes, in various places, 

 where it is enticed by an abundance of food and comparative security, to 



