Virginia Rail at the Smithsonian
Jim Felley (IRMSS668@SIVM.SI.EDU)
Tue, 28 Jul 98 07:33:44 EDT
Specifically, in the Enid Haupt Garden south of the Castle. Last night
as I was headed to the Metro, I saw an adult Virginia Rail standing by
the shrubbery on the north-west side of the National Museum of African
Art (I hope this is specific enough for Dave Bridge). I did a Jerry
Lewis-style double take, which alarmed the bird (but not the tourists
on the path with me). It scuttled into the shrubs. I wandered by the
same spot this morning, in hopes the bird would still be there.
It most certainly was, and I guess will at least spend the day.
It was wary but not secretive. As long as I kept my distance and did not
look directly at it, the rail walked about calmly and fed on worms it
found in the grass. I watched it for about 5 minutes, until it finally
walked into the same shrubs where I saw it yesterday.
I'm guessing this is another of the 'unusual fall migrants' people
having been discussing here and on BIRDCHAT.
Jim
Jim Felley
Smithsonian Institution
irmss668@sivm.si.edu