RAIL. 383 



or blackish spots ; the young run off as soon as they break the shell, are 

 then quite black, and run about among the grass like mice. The old ones 

 he has very rarely observed at that time, but the young often. Almost 

 every old settler along these meadows, with whom I have conversed, has 

 occasionally seen young Rail in mowing time ; and all agree in describ- 

 ing them as covered with blackish down. There can, therefore, be no 

 reasonable doubt as to the residence of many of these birds both here 

 and to the northward during the summer. That there can be as little 

 doubt relative to their winter retreat, will appear more particularly 

 towards the sequel of the present account. During their residence here, 

 in summer, their manners exactly correspond with those of the Water 

 Crake of Britain already quoted ; so that, though actually a different 

 species, their particular habits, common places of resort, and eagerness 

 for concealment, are as nearly the same as the nature of the climates 

 will admit. 



Early in August, when the reeds along the shores of the Delaware 

 have attained their full growth, the Rail resort to them in great num- 

 bers, to feed on the seeds of this plant, of which they, as well as the 

 Rice-birds, and several others, are immoderately fond. These reeds, 

 which appear to be the Zizania panicula effusa of Linnaeus, and the 

 Zizania clavulosa of Wildenow, grow up from the soft muddy shores 

 of the tide water, which are alternately dry, and covered with four or 

 five feet of water. They rise with an erect, tapering stem to the height 

 of eight or ten feet, being nearly as thick below as a man's wrist, and 

 cover tracts along the river, of many acres. The cattle feed on their 

 long green leaves with avidity, and wade in after them, as far as they 

 dare safely venture. They grow up so close together that, except at or 

 near high water, a boat can with difficulty make its way through among 

 them. The seeds are produced at the top of the plant, the blossoms or 

 male parts occupying the lower branches of the pannicle, and the seeds 

 the higher. These seeds are nearly as long as a common-sized pin, 

 somewhat more slender, white, sweet to the taste, and very nutritive, as 

 appears by their effects on the various birds that, at this season, feed 

 on them. 



When the reeds are in this state, and even while in blossom, the Rail 

 are found to have taken possession of them in great numbers. These 

 are generally numerous in proportion to the full and promising crop of 

 the former. As you walk along the embankment of the river, at this 

 season, you hear them squeaking in every direction, like young puppies ; 

 if a stone be thrown among the reeds, there is a general outcry, and a 

 reiterated kuk kuk kuk, something like that of a Guinea-fowl. Any 

 sudden noise, or the discharge of a gun, produces the same effect. In 

 the meantime, none are to be seen, unless it be at or near high-water ; 

 for when the tide is low, they universally secrete themselves among the 



