V 



110 VIRGINIAN RAIL. 



terity with which it runs or conceals itself among the grass aiid 

 sedge, are exactly similar to those of the common Rail, from 

 which genus, notwithstanding the difference of its bill, it ought not 

 to be separated. 



This bird is known to some of the inhabitants along the sea 

 coast of New Jersey, by the name of the Fresh-water Mud Hen^ this 

 last being the common appellation of the Clapper Rail, which the 

 present species resembles in every thing but size. The epithet 

 Fresh-water, is given it because of its frequenting those parts of 

 the marsh only where fresh water springs rise through the bogs 

 into the salt marshes. In these places it usually constructs its nest, 

 one of which, through the active exertions of my friend Mr. Ord, 

 while traversing with me the salt marshes of Cape May, we had 

 the good fortune to discover. It was built in the bottom of a tuft 

 of grass, in the midst of an almost impenetrable quagmire, and 

 was composed altogether of old wet grass and rushes. The eggs 

 had been floated out of the nest by the extraordinary rise of the 

 tide in a violent north-east storm, and lay scattered about among 

 the drift weed. The female, however, still lingered near the spot, 

 to which she was so attached as to suffer herself to be taken by 

 hand. She doubtless intended to repair her nest, and commence 

 laying anew; as during the few hours that she was in our posses- 

 sion she laid one egg, corresponding in all respects with the others. 

 On examining those floated out of the nest they contained young, 

 perfectly formed, but dead. The usual number of eggs is from 

 six to ten. They are shaped like those of the domestic hen, mea- 

 suring one inch and two-tenths long, by very nearly half an inch 

 in width, and are of a dirty white or pale cream color, sprinkled 

 with specks of reddish and pale purple, most numerous near the 

 great end. They commence laying early in May, and probably 

 raise two brood in the season. I suspect this from the circum- 

 stance of Mr. Ord having, late in the month of July, brought me 

 several young ones of only a few days old, which were caught 



