146 
THE SORA RAIL. 
requiem. The Pelican, too, lias ceased to tear its own breast to gorge its 
voracious young. Students of nature have gradually rectified the various 
errors into which our ancestors had fallen ; and ive should now just as readily 
expect to see a shoal of fishes issuing from beneath the plough, as to see a 
flock of Rails emerge from the mud, shake themselves, and fly off. This 
subject, then, being disposed of, I have now to relate to you the result of 
my observations on the habits- of the Sora. 
This bird, which I think might have been named the Pennsylvanian or 
Virginian Rail, enters the Union from the shores of Mexico, early in March, 
when many are to be seen in the markets of New Orleans. Some reach 
their northern destination by ascending along the margins of our western 
streams, or by crossing the country directly, in the manner of the Wood- 
cock ; while those which proceed along the coast shorten their journey as 
much as possible by flying across the headlands of the numerous inlets or 
bays of our southern districts, retiring or advancing more slowly according 
to the state of the weather. Thus, those which cross the peninsula of 
Florida, through the marshes and lagoons that lead to the head waters of the 
St. John’s River, instead of travelling round the shores of Georgia and 
South Carolina, fly directly across towards Cape Lookout. It is neverthe- 
less true, that a certain number of these birds follow the sinuosities of the 
shores, for I found some in the markets of Charleston, in the month of April, 
that had been killed in the immediate neighbourhood of that city, and I 
obtained others in various parts ; but the number of these is very small 
compared with that of those which cross at once. When their passage 
takes place, either during calm weather or with a favourable wind, the 
fortunate travellers pursue their journey by entering Pamlico Sound, and 
following the inner margins of the outward banks of this part of the coast 
until they reach Cape Henry. From thence some ascend the Chesapeake, 
while others make for the mouth of the Delaware, and these perhaps again 
meet on the borders of Lake Ontario, or the waters of the St. Lawrence, ' 
after which they soon enter those portions of the country in which they 
breed, and spend a short but agreeable season. 
Every person acquainted with the general movements of birds either 
during spring, when they pass northwards, or the autumnal months, when 
they are on their way to milder climes, is aware that, at the former period, 
their anxiety to reach the place of breeding is much greater than that which 
they feel at any other period. Thus, in its movement southward, the Sora, 
like all other Rails, when returning with its progeny, which are yet feeble 
and unable to undergo much fatigue, proceeds considerably slower than in 
spring. Hence its appearance in autumn, in multitudes, in various places, 
where it is enticed by an abundance of food and comparative security, to 
