R ALL US VIRGINIAN US. 
429 
' DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements ofspecimens from Eastern North America. Length, 9‘25; stretch, 13-50; wing, 3’95; tail, 115; 
bill, 1-4.5; tarsus, 1-32. Longest specimen, 9‘78; greatest extent of wing, 14-00; longest wing, 4 30, tail, 1’75; bill, 1*62; 
tarsus, 1‘40. Shortest specimen, 9‘50; smallest extent of wing, 13-00; shortest wing, 3'45; tail, 1*50; bill, 125; tarsus, 1-25. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed on the ground in marshy places, composed of grass, weeds, etc. Eggs, from eight to ten in number, 
oval in form, creamy in color, sparcely spotted and dotted with reddish-brown and lilac. Dimensions from -90x 120 to ‘95 
xl-30. 
HABITS. 
One hot July day, when I was a small boy, I was lying at full length in a meadow, 
in order that I might quench my thirst from a cool spring that was so thickly surrounded 
by water docks, grass, and other herbage, as to be nearly hidden. I had taken a long 
draught, when a chuckling sound attracted my attention, and looking up, I saw T what then 
appeared to me to be a singular bird, with along, sword-shaped bill, standing by the edge 
of the spring within a foot of my head, quietly gazing at me. As I raised my head, he 
gave a quick nod or two, as if to say, “That’s all right.” then turned and walked slowly 
away, with a^stately, swinging gate, evidently satisfied that I was too small to be consid¬ 
ered at all' dangerous. It was some years after this event, that I saw a Virginia Rail with 
his proper cognomen attached, but I at once recognized the bird as being similar to the 
guardian of the spring in the meadow. The Virginia Rails inhabit the w r et, fresh water 
marshes from Canada to Florida, but appear to prefer those which are partly grown up to 
bushes. This propensity I could not explain, until I saw one in the aviary of Mr. August 
Koch who has fitted up an abode for captive birds with gregt care, having a fountain, mini¬ 
ature pond, rock work with grottos, all embellished with numerous plants, among which 
are some vines that twine up to the ceiling. One of the most attractive birds, among the 
many which lived in this enclosure, was the Rail mentioned, which was quite tame, and 
which evidently behaved much as it would have in its native swamp. It fed readily, wad¬ 
ed about in the water, and when slightly alarmed, would take refuge among the surround¬ 
ing ferns, etc.; but what surprised me most, was to see it climb up the vines, which it did 
with the utmost ease, clinging to the branches with its long claws, and in this way, it oft¬ 
en reached the top, some ten feet from the ground. The bird was evidently hunting for 
insects and this habit was probably acquired when among the bushes in the meadows. 
When only slightly alarmed, the Virginia Rails utter a chuckling sound, but if badly 
frightened or greatly annoyed, especially during the nesting season, when they have young, 
they will emit a sharp squeak, but their regular notes are harsh screams, usually given at 
night. These Rails breed early in June, building on some slightly elevated spot, either 
in the grass or among the bushes, and when their domiciles are approached, the birds qui¬ 
etly leave them. The young leave the nest as soon as hatched, and run nimbly through 
the grass. They become scattered somewhat during the day, but toward night, they will 
utter sharp cries, in order that the adults may know of their whereabouts, and then the 
entire brood will gather beneath the parent for warmth. I have, on several occasions, cap¬ 
tured these little black Rails in the evening, having ascertained where they were by hear¬ 
ing them peeping. When taken young, they become very tame, feeding readily upon bits 
of meat or insects, behaving much like young chickens. They are, however, very delicate 
