VIRGINIA RAIL
212. Rallus virginianus. 9.5 in.
Coloration almost exactly like that of the [King Rail], but the bird is much smaller. Like that species, this one prefers fresh water marshes. They have a great aversion to flying, and, like other rails, will trust to their legs for safety, should danger threaten; probably no other birds are as dexterous as the rails in threading their way through the close standing rushes. Although they do not have webbed feet, they can swim fairly well, and also dive, but they do so only when they are forced to. They look extremely awkward as they run over the trash on the marsh, their head and neck erect and extended, with their head rapidly turning from side to side as though looking for a place of safety.
Notes.—A guttural, rattling “cut-cut-cut-ee.”
Nest.—Of grasses, on the ground or in tufts of rushes; eggs creamy-white, specked with brown (1.25 × .90); May, June.
Range.—Breeds in the northern half of the United States and southern Canada; winters in southern U. S.
CAROLINA RAIL; SORA
214. Porzana Carolina. 8.5 in.
Adults with the face and throat black. Young with no black on the head. This species is not apt to be confused with any, except, possibly, the [Virginia Rail], which is somewhat larger, and always has the breast conspicuously cinnamon color. These birds are very abundant in nearly their whole range, but they are so secretive in their habits that their presence is often not noticed. Unless disturbed, they pass the greater portion of the day in slumber, and do most of their feeding after dusk, when their confused, clucking notes are heard all over the marshes. All of the rails have this habit of feeding chiefly at night, perhaps through fear of enemies during the daytime, for they seem to be very timid birds.