AMERICAN WATER-RAIL 
N the Linn^Ean List of objects figured and 
escribed by Edwards, this bird is simply de- 
ominated Rallus, or tlie Rail ; but, in the 
ysteraa Nature, or Linnsean System of Na- 
Lire, it is now called Rallus Virginianus, or 
iie Virginian RaiL tven this latier appel- 
ition, it is observable, aitords no distinction 
ctween Land and Water' Rails ; which, in 
or opinion, constitutes an, essential defect, 
*enoant, who also calls it the Virginian Rail^ 
artakes in this error : nor is Brjsson, who 
.ames it Rallus Pennsylvanicus, or the Penn- 
yivanian Rail, exempt from the same- impu- 
■'on. The Systema Naturse, however, de« 
bes it to be, probably, a variety of the 
(alius Aquations : but this we conceive to be 
Qsufficiently certain in itself ; and to contain 
10 argument against our objection to the 
iame. Latham, with mere accuracy, pro- 
lounces it a variety of the Rallus Aquaticus^ 
)r Water-Rail ; but Edwards, with still more, 
he American Water-Rail. Perhins, In stncx- 
less, it ought to be the North-America-n 
Water™ 
