12 
VIRGINIAN RAIL. 
low. The bill is nearly six inches in length, of a rich orange 
yellow, tipt with black ; irides, a paler orange ; pupil, small, 
giving the bird a sharp and piercing aspect ; the legs are long, 
stout, and of a black colour, as is the bare space of four inches 
above the knee ; the span of the foot measures upwards of six 
inches ; the inner edge of the middle claw is pectinated ; the 
exterior and middle toes are united at the base, for about half 
an inch, by a membrane. 
The articulations of the vertebrae are remarkably long ; the 
intestines measure upwards of eight feet, and are very narrow. 
The male and female are alike in plumage ; both, when of full 
age, having the train equally long. 
VIRGINIAN RAIL RALLUS VIRGINIANUS. • 
Plate LXII. Fig. 1. 
Arcf. Zool, No. 408. — Edw. 279.' — Lath. Syn. iii. p. 208, No. 1, — var. A.. — 
Peak's Museum, No. 4426. 
RALLUS VIRGINIANUS.— 
Rallus Virginianus, Bonap. Synop. p. 334. 
This species very much resembles the European water 
rail {rallus aquaticus)^ but is smaller, and has none of the 
* In my note upon the genus Crex, I mentioned the distinctions existing be- 
tween that genus Gallinula and Rallus, The Virginian rail, and that following, 
show good examples of the latter form. In their habits they closely agree with 
the aquatic species of Crex, are distributed over all countries of the world, and 
in general perform partial migrations. 
When pursued or roaded by a dog, they may be raised once, but the second 
time will be a task of more difficulty ; if the ground is an extensive meadow they 
may be followed for an hour without success, but if there are holes or ditches 
they will generally seek for one of these, where they conceal themselves beneath 
some sod, or brow, or thicket of bushes, and may then be easily taken by the hand. 
I have frequently taken our common water rail in this manner, and sometimes 
with the head only concealed. They are easily tamed. The structure of the 
feathers on the forehead and crown of the rails is peculiar, and may be intended 
