VIRGINIAN RAIL. 
15 
in one of Mr Bartram’s meadows, but were unfortunately de- 
stroyed. 
The Virginian rail is migratory, never wintering in the 
northern or middle states. It makes its first appearance in 
Pennsylvania early in May, and leaves the country on the first 
smart frosts, generally in November. I have no doubt but 
many of them linger in the low woods and marshes of the 
southern states during winter. 
This species is ten inches long, and fourteen inches in ex- 
tent; bill, dusky red; cheeks and stripe over the eye, ash, 
over the lores and at the lower eyelid, white ; iris of the eye, 
red ; crown and whole upper parts, black, streaked with brown, 
the centre of each feather being black ; wing-coverts, hazel 
brown, inclining to chestnut ; quills, plain deep dusky ; chin, 
white ; throat, breast, and belly, orange brown ; sides and vent, 
black, tipt with white ; legs and feet, dull red brown ; edge of 
the bend of the wing, white. 
The female is about half an inch shorter, and differs from the 
male, in having the breast much paler ; not of so bright a red- 
dish brown ; there is also more white on the chin and throat. 
When seen, which is very rarely, these birds stand or run 
with the tail erect, which they frequently jerk upwards. They 
fly with the legs hanging, generally but a short distance ; and 
the moment they alight, run off with great speed. 
