Akamidje. BIBDS. RAiLiDa:. cxciii 
they are associated, tlie stately birds stand in tlie 
foreground of tlie scenery of the valley, the water 
now reflecting the shadow of their broad wings, then 
the blue shy exhibiting the outline of their command- 
ing forms. Such ponderous bodies, moving with 
slowly-beating wings, give a great idea of momentum 
from mere weight— -of force of motion without swift- 
ness, for they plod along heavily, seeming to need 
every inch of their ample wings to sustain them- 
selves. One would think they must soon alight, 
fatigued with such exertion, but the raucous cries 
continue, and the birds fly on for miles along the tor- 
tuous stream, in Indian tile, utider some trusty leader, 
who croaks his hoarse orders, implicitly obeyed. 
Bach bird keeps his place in the ranks, the advanc- 
ing column now rising higher over some suspected 
spot, now falls along an open sandy reach, swaying 
meanwhile to the right or left. As it passes on, the 
individual birds are blended in the hazy distance, 
till, just before lost to view, the line becomes like an 
immense serpent, gliding mysteriously through the 
air. When about to alight, fearful lest the shadows 
of the wood harbor unseen danger, the Cranes pass 
by the leafy intricacies, where the Ibises and other 
less suspicious birds feed, and choose a spot for the 
advantage it may possess of uninterrupted vision. 
By nature one of the most wary and discreet of 
birds, his experience has taught him to value this 
gift, and put it to the best use. His vigilance is 
rarely relaxed, even when he is feeding, when less 
thoughtful birds would feel perfectly secure. After 
almost every bending of his long neck to the ground 
he rises again, and at full length glances keenly on 
every side. He may resume his repast, but should 
so much as a speck he cannot account for appear, he 
stands motiouless, all attention. Now let the least 
sound or movement betray an unwelcotne visitor, he 
bends his niusctdar thighs, spreads his ample wings, 
and springs heavily into the air, croaking dismally to 
warn all his kind within reach of his far-sounding 
voice.” — Ooues. 'I’he eggs are of the same general 
character as those of the G. americana. 
Family — ARAMIDH5. 
'L’his family consists of a single genus, and proba- 
bly with only one species. It is only represented in 
the tropical portions of the continent. 
THE CRYING BIRD ; COURLAN {Aramus gigan- 
teus) — Plate IX, fig. xxi. — I'his is rather a peculiar 
bird, its appearance and habits being somewhat dif- 
ferent from any other, although closely allied to the 
Rails in the essential points of structure. It bears 
the name also of Scolopaceous Courlan, and is nu- 
merous in South America and Cuba. In the United 
States it is quite contined to the Coast of Florida. 
A few instances have occurred of its visiting the 
Middle States. It leads a solitary life, only asso- 
ciating in pairs, having a piercing cry of Garuu ! 
carau! which is heard both by night and day. We 
have seen this bird killed at Indian Key, Florida Reef, 
while alighting upon the Cocoanut trees. At this 
time two women issued forth from their domestic 
VoL. I.— 
duties, each with a “ fowling-piece ” in hand. One of 
them brought the pair of birds to the ground, and delib- 
erately twisted off their necks, and proceeded to prepare 
them for dinner, as they are much esteemed as game. 
Family — R ALLID JE. 
'I’he Rails 
Members of this family inhabit all temperate coun- 
tries. 'i’he most remarkable characteristic is their 
extreme narrowness, or compression of the body. 
'I'hey are not distinguished for great development of 
wing, yet they make extensive migrations, walk with 
great ease, and some species swim well. 'I’heir cries 
are “loud, dry and harsh.” 
MARSH HEN [Eallus elegans). — Called also King- 
rail and Fresh-water Marsh-hen. — 'I'his large and 
beautiful bird is found in the United States, being 
more common in the southern portions. It frequents 
fresh-water marshes and ponds in the interior, as 
well as along the coast, feeding on seeds, insects, 
tadpoles, etc. What little has been placed on record 
about this bird, respecting its habits, does not indi- 
cate anything peculiar. 
VIRGINIA RAIL [R. virginianus) is found in the 
entire United States and the British dominions. It 
breeds commonly in New England, and winters in 
the Southern States, and as far south as Guate- 
mala. Dr. Cones thus describes it : “A night at 
Soda Lake, the debouchure of that singular river, the 
.Mohave, was one of the strangest and one of the 
most uncomfortable I ever passed. It was late in 
October, and the full moon threw a pale and uncer- 
tain light over a scene of desolation and death. On 
one side stretches the interminable desert of shifting 
sand, broken here and there by clumps of the foul 
creosote plant, straggling patches of grease-wood 
and bitter sage, and scattered, sentinel-like Spanish 
bayonet. Along the road just traversed were strewn 
bleached skeletons of beasts that had fallen in the 
tracks beneath the scorching rays of the sun. At 
the foot of some cliffs near by lay whitening the 
heads and horns of the Argali [Oois raontani), shot 
by previous travellers. 'I’he bare bones looked of 
double size and fantastic shape in the pale moon- 
light. Before us lay a dead white sea of salty eftio- 
rescence, where the lake had evaporated or sunk in 
the sand, leaving its saline matter. It was dry 
except towards the middle, where dark-green masses 
of 'I’ul^-reeds, contrasting with snowy whiteness 
all around, showed that little water was left. Our 
animals, like ourselves, were exhausted. One poor 
creature, cruelly overtasked, had given birth to 
a foal, and lay groaning by the wayside, unable 
to rise. 'I'he water was too nauseous to drink, and 
hardly answered to cook with. But even under 
such circumstances, I was gratified by the presence 
of feathered friends. At nightfall some Mallard 
and 'i'eal settled into the rushes, gabbling curious 
vespers as they went to rest. A few Marsh-wrens 
had appeared on the edge of the reeds, queerly 
balancing themselves on the thread-like leaves, see- 
sawing to their own quaint music. 'I'lien they were 
