THE GREAT RED BREASTED RAIL. 
163 
hen, and shortly after came passing by me the successful murderer with the 
bird in his mouth.” 
“In seasons of great drought, when the marshes which are their favourite 
haunts become dry, these birds have been known entirely to disappear from 
the neighbourhood, and not to return until after heavy rains, having in the 
mean time, no doubt, retired to the shores of the larger and deeper ponds of 
the swamps of the interior.” 
The young of this species acquire the redness of their plumage during 
the first summer, and increase in size and beauty for several years, without 
experiencing any change in their colouring after the spring following that of 
their birth. The sexes are scarcely distinguishable otherwise than by the 
difference of size, the males being considerably larger than the females. I 
am not aware that this species raises more than one brood in the season, 
although, when its eggs have been destroyed, it may lay a second time. 
The flight of this Rail resembles that of the salt-water kind, but is con- 
siderably stronger and more protracted. When suddenly flushed, they rise 
and go off with a chuck, their legs dangling beneath, and generally proceed 
in a straight line for some distance, after which they drop among the 
thickest grass, and run off with surprising speed. In several instances they 
have been known to stand before a careful pointer. They are less apt to 
take to the water than the Rallus crepitans , and are by no means so expert 
at diving. Their number does not appear to be diminished in winter by 
any migratory movements. Their cries, which do not differ much from 
those of the other species, are less frequently repeated after the breeding 
season. 
Few birds afford better food than this species : during autumn, when, 
feeding chiefly cm grass seeds, they are juicy and tender ; in spring, however, 
they are less delicate. Their superiority in size over all other birds of the 
genus that occur in the United States, renders them valuable game to the 
knowing sportsman and epicure. Their eggs also are excellent as' food, 
being much preferable to those of the common fowl. 
I regret that I am obliged to conclude this account, without being able to 
describe the eggs, which, although well known to my friend John Bach- 
man, have not yet come under my inspection. 
Great Red-Breasted Rail, Rallus elegans, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 27. 
Male, 19, 25. Female, 18, 24. 
From Texas to New Jersey, more common from Louisiana to North 
Carolina. Inland swamps and marshes. Once met with in Kentucky. 
Adult Male. 
