CAROLINA RAIL. 213 



presenting the finger in a threatening attitude. At such 

 times, and during their obstinate divings, they often fall 

 victims, no doubt, to their enemies in the watery element, 

 as they are sometimes seized by eels and other voracious 

 fish, who lie in wait for them ; so that the very excess of 

 their fear and caution hurries them into additional dangers, 

 and frustrates the intention of this instinct for preservation. 

 The swooning, to which they appear subject, is not uncom- 

 mon with some small and delicate irritable birds, and Cana- 

 ries are often liable to these death-like spasms, into which 

 they also fall at the instigation of some immaterial or trifling 

 excitement of a particular kind. 



During the greater part of the months of September and 

 October, the market of Philadelphia is abundantly supplied 

 with this highly esteemed game, and they are usually sold 

 at fi-om 50 cents to a dollar the dozen. But soon after the 

 first frosts of October, or towards the close of that month, 

 they all move off to the south. In Virginia, they usually 

 remain until the first week in November. In the vicinity 

 of Cambridge, (Mass.) a few, as a rarity only, are now and 

 then seen in the course of the autumn, in the Zizania 

 patches which border the outlet of Fresh Pond ; but none 

 are either known or suspected to breed in any part of this 

 state, where they are, as far as I can learn, every where 

 uncommon. 



The usual method of shooting Rail on the Delaware, 

 according to Wilson, is as follows. The sportsman proceeds 

 to the scene of action in a batteau, with an experienced 

 boatman, who propels the boat with a pole. About two 

 hours before high water, they enter the reeds, the sportsman 

 taking his place in the bow ready for action ; while the 

 boatman on the stern seat pushes her steadily through the 

 reeds, The Rails generally spring singly, as the boat ad- 

 yances, and at a short distance ahead, are instantly shot 



