SORA. 193 



The usual method of shooting Rail on the Delaware, accord- 

 ing 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 the craft steadily through the reeds. The Rails gene- 

 rally spring singly as the boat advances, and at a short distance 

 ahead are instantly shot down, while the boatman, keeping his 

 eye on the spot where the bird fell, directs the vessel forward, 

 and picks up the game as the gunner is loading. In this man- 

 ner the boat continues through and over the wild-rice marsh, 

 the birds flushing and falling, the gunner loading and firing, 

 while the helmsman is pushing and picking up the game, — 

 which sport continues till an hour or two after high water, 

 when its shallowness and the strength and weight of the float- 

 ing reeds, as also the unwillingness of the game to spring as 

 the tide decreases, oblige them to return. Several boats are 

 sometimes within a short distance of each other, and a per- 

 petual cracking of musketry prevails along the whole reedy 

 shores of the river. In these excursions it is not uncommon 

 for an active and expert marksman to kill ten or twelve dozen 

 in the serving of a single tide. 



We now know that the Sora breeds abundantly in Wisconsin 

 and the northern portions of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as 

 in the more Eastern States. It is probable that the southern Hmit 

 of its breeding area is in the vicinity of latitude 42°, while its 

 northern range does not extend beyond the 62d parallel. The birds 

 winter in the West Indies and northern South America. 



VOL. n. — 13 



