THE GREAT RED-BREASTED RAIL. 1(33 



hen, and shortly after came passing by me the successful murderer with the 

 bird in his mouth." 



"In seasons of great drought, when the marshes which are their favourite 

 haunts become dry, these birds have been known entirely to disappear from 

 the neighbourhood, and not to return until after heavy rains, having in the 

 mean time, no doubt, retired to the shores of the larger and deeper ponds of 

 the swamps of the interior." 



The young of this species acquire the redness of their plumage during 

 the first summer, and increase in size and beauty for several years, without 

 experiencing any change in their colouring after the spring following that of 

 their birth. The sexes are scarcely distinguishable otherwise than by the 

 difference of size, the males being considerably larger than the females. I 

 am not aware that this species raises more than one brood in the season, 

 although, when its eggs have been destroyed, it may lay a second time. 



The flight of this Rail resembles that of the salt-water kind, but is con- 

 siderably stronger and more protracted. When suddenly flushed, they rise 

 and go off with a chuck, their legs dangling beneath, and general^ proceed 

 in a straight line for some distance, after which they drop among the 

 thickest grass, and run off with surprising speed. In several instances they 

 have been known to stand before a careful pointer. They are less apt to 

 take to the water than the Rallus crepitans, and are by no means so expert 

 at diving. Their number does not appear to be diminished in winter by 

 any migratory movements. Their cries, which do not differ much from 

 those of the other species, are less frequently repeated after the breeding 

 season. 



Few birds afford better food than this species: during autumn, when, 

 feeding chiefly on grass seeds, they are juicy and tender; in spring, however, 

 they are less delicate. Their superiority in size over all other birds of the 

 genus that occur in the United States, renders them valuable game to the 

 knowing sportsman and epicure. Their eggs also are excellent as food, 

 being much preferable to those of the common fowl. 



I regret that I am obliged to conclude this account, without being able to 

 describe the eggs, which, although well known to my friend John Bach- 

 man, have not yet come under my inspection. 



Great Red-breasted Rail, Rallus elegans, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 27. 



Male, 19, 25. Female, 18, 24. 



From Texas to New Jersey, more common from Louisiana to North 

 Carolina. Inland swamps and marshes. Once met with in Kentucky. 

 Adult Male. 



