204 WADING BIRDS. 



water, with the neck erect, and striking with a hurried rapid- 

 ity, indicative of the distrust of its progress in that element, 

 which it immediately abandons on approaching the leaves 

 of any floating plants, particularly the pond lilies, over 

 whose slightly buoyant foliage it darts with a nimbleness 

 and dexterity that defies its pursuers, and proves, that how- 

 ever well it may be fitted for an aquatic life, its principal 

 progress, and that on which it most depends, when closely 

 followed, is by land rather than in the air or the water. 

 When thus employed, it runs with an outstretched neck and 

 erected tail, and like the wily Corn Crake, is the very pic- 

 ture of haste and timidity. On fair ground, they run 

 nearly as fast as a man. When hard pushed, they will be- 

 take themselves sometimes to the water, remaining under 

 for several minutes, and holding on closely to the roots of 

 grass or herbage, with the head downwards, so as to render 

 themselves generally wholly invisible. When roused at 

 length to flight, they proceed almost with the velocity and 

 in the manner of a duck, flying low, and with the neck 

 stretched ; but such is their aversion to take wing, and their 

 fondness for skulking, that the marshes in which hundreds 

 of these birds reside, may be crossed without ever seeing 

 one of them ; nor will they rise to a dog till they have led 

 him into a labyrinth, and he is on the very point of seizing 

 them. 



The food of the Clapper Rail consists of various insects, 

 small univalve shell-fish, and Crustacea (minute crabs, &c.) 

 Their flesh is dry, tastes sedgy, and is far inferior in flavor 

 with that of the Common Rail or Soree. Early in October 

 they retire to the south, and probably migrate in the twilight, 

 or by the dawn of morning. 



This species measures 14 inches in length, and 18 in alar extent. 

 The bill 2^ inches, of a reddish-brown color. Irids dark red. Crown, 

 neck and back, black, streaked with dusky-brown. Chin, and line 



