190 
THE CAROLINA RAIL. 
Georgia, by the close of February ; and, on the 2d of May, 
Wilson observed them in the low watery meadows below 
Philadelphia. In the remote fur countries of the north, up 
to the 62 d parallel, they are common through the summer, 
and were observed by Dr. Richardson to be particularly 
abundant on the banks of the small lakes that skirt the 
Saskatchewan plains. In the vast reedy marshes, swamps, 
and lagoons of these desolate regions, the greater part of 
the species are no doubt reared, as but few of them are ever 
known to breed in the warmer parts of th<* continent, and 
the history of their manners, at the period of incubation, is, 
therefore, still a blank. 
The observations of persons not conversant with the nice 
distinctions necessary in natural history, ought to be received 
with caution, as they might easily confound the mere young 
of the present and the preceding species, as one and the 
same. The alleged nest, eggs, and young birds covered 
with a black down, mentioned by Wilson, agree perfectly 
with the Virginian Rail; but the length of the bill, and 
any other discriminating particulars, are wholly omitted. 
We may conclude, therefore, up to the present time, that 
the actual young and nest of the Soree are yet unknown, 
and that all which has been said on this subject is but con- 
jecture, or a misapplication of facts belonging to the pre- 
ceding species. 
Like the other migrating waders, the Rails, accompanied 
by their swarming broods, bred in the north and west, 
