VIRGINIAN RAIL. a Q j 



lead colour on the breast which marks that of the old con- 

 tinent; 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 in the barrens of Kentucky early in May. 

 The people there observe them in wet places in the groves 

 only in spring. It feeds less on vegetable, and more on 

 animal food, than the common rail. During the months of 

 September and October, when the reeds and wild oats swarm 

 with the latter species, feeding on their nutritious seeds, a 

 few of the present kind are occasionally found ; but not one 

 for five hundred of the others. The food of the present 

 species consists of small snail-shells, worms, and the larvae of 

 insects, which it extracts from the mud ; hence the cause of 

 its greater length of bill, to enable it the more readily to reach 

 its food. On this account, also, its flesh is much inferior to 

 that of the other. In most of its habits, its thin compressed 

 form of body, its aversion to take wing, and the dexterity 



head only concealed. They are easily tamed. The structure of the 

 feathers on the forehead and crown of the rails is peculiar, and may be 

 intended as a defence to that part from the friction of the strong grass 

 and reeds among 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, con- 

 cealed, however, by the plumage. 



The form of the Crakes and Gallinules is well adapted for their 

 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 agility with which they run and 

 thread through the long vegetation of the marshes is almost incon- 

 ceivable to a person who has not witnessed it. — Ed. 



