RE: Virginia Rail
David Bridge (David@simsc.si.edu)
Fri, 31 Jul 98 08:13:55
In reply to the questions raised by Dex below, here are my opinions
based on my observations on Wed. July 29.
>--- On Wed, 29 Jul 1998 14:05:37 -0700 (PDT) Dex Hinckley
><dhinckley@igc.apc.org> wrote:
>
>Two questions about the now famous, and cooperative, Virginia Rail
>at the Haupt Gardens, south of the Smithsonian "Castle."
>Is it fully mature?
This is an adult bird, i.e. hatched before this year (1998).
All the plumage characteristics, reddish eye, etc. indicate
an adult to me. I think a bird hatched this year would show
a very different plumage.
>Is it in any way injured?
To me the bird was very alert and active on July 29.
I noted that the "bird holds its left wing differently than the
right wing. The left wing tip is about one inch higher, but
otherwise it seems very vigorous, active and healthy."
The rail did open its wings (stretch ?) maybe three times,
but never truly flapped it's wings, so other than the fact that
he holds the folded wing differently, I can not say if his wing
is injured.
>It is not behaving in the secretive fashion characteristic of rails.
>I fear it will be stepped on by a tourist.
I'm not sure I agree. Most of our rails spend their time in
vegetation so dense that you can not see between two points only
a few feet apart. I have never saw a rail on a nicely cut lawn
before, with an unobstructed view. Several times when we got too
close, or someone moved quickly or there was a loud noise, the
bird would run for cover. At other times it would feed along the
edge of the vegetation, in a very cautious fashion, ready to run
for cover.
yours, David Bridge
David@simsc.si.edu