Virginia rail

noun

1. a long-billed American rail, Rallus limicola, having blackish and reddish-brown plumage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Virginia rail¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

They wrote that lessons could apply to a long-planned Northern Virginia rail line and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which was tapped to build it, citing the authority’s “lack of experience in managing a mass transit project.”

From Washington Post

And they need the rails—reclusive birds that live in thick marsh grass—including the Sora, which can be tricky, and the Virginia Rail, which they can usually count on.

From Scientific American

“If we can't get Virginia Rail, we might as well call it a day and crack a beer,” he says.

From Scientific American

Virginia rail officials estimate the new service would add about 80,000 new passengers in the first year of operations.

From Washington Post

As social media bird alerts have become popular, there are more unique and rare birds reported in the city — like a recent sighting of a Virginia rail in Central Park, Mr. DeCandido said.

From New York Times