Virginia Rail continues at the Smithsonian

Rob Hilton (robert@csa.com)
Wed, 29 Jul 1998 09:13:02 -0400 

Hi gang, 

I made it down by subway to The Mall (Red Line, Smithsonian stop,
Independence Ave. entrance/exit) at 445 pm yesterday, Tuesday, July 28.
Since I forgot to print off Jim Felley's post, I wandered around the garden
for a while.  I finally sat down by the fountain jet north of the National
Museum of African Art (NMAfA) and marveled at the bathing birds.  A
juvenile Starling landed on the concrete water carrier, walked behind me,
and started bathing in one of the corner pools, splashing me!!!  It was 12
or 18 inches from my back and totally fearless.  At about 5:38 I stood to
leave, turned around, and saw the Virginia Rail between two trees near the
NMAfA!!!!  It was maybe 40 feet from me!  I watched for four minutes as it
walked closer to me, oblivious, and disappeared in to some hostas.  

This morning, Wed., July 29, my girlfriend and I drove down from Silver
Spring, arriving at the Enid Haupt Garden at about 7:15 or 7:20.  We
located the rail on the "other" side, the northwest side, of the fountain.
We watched it cross the sidewalk and head toward the NMAfA and the trees
and mulch, to the area Jim and I saw it yesterday.  We saw it eat a worm,
flap its wings, and fly up about 2 feet to one of the magnolia (?) trunks
for about 10 seconds before it returned to earth and preened its wings.  It
was out in the open except right at the beginning of our observation (which
was around 7:20-7:25) when it was among some low plants.  Totally
unconcerned, not caring about the two binoculars aimed at it.  Grey cheeks,
reddish legs, rusty chest, black and white barred flanks, chestnut wing
patch, white under the pumping tail, etc. etc. etc.  20 - 30 feet away
right before we left it!!!

Enid Haupt Garden opens maybe around 7 am and closes around 8 pm.  The way
I came from the metro and the parking space was to enter the big gate
fronting Independence Avenue immediately to the west of the NMAfA (left as
you face the museum from Independence Avenue).  Follow the paved path past
some hibiscus plants, and turn right toward the fountain plaza.  Look
carefully and be prepared to wait a while.  The bird seems to show less
concern for humans that Jim Felley described.  

Best, 

Rob Hilton
robert@csa.com
Bethesda and Silver Spring

At 07:33 AM 7/28/98 EDT, Jim Felley wrote:
>
>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
>
>
>