THE CAROLINA RAIL. 1^1 



t-sgin to uliow themselves on the reedy bordi^r;; of the Dert!» 

 F-^re, and other large waters of the Middle States, whose 

 still and sluggish streams, spreading out over muddy flats, 

 give birth to an abundant crop of the seeds of the wild 

 rice, now the favourite food of tlie Kails and the rico 

 birds. 



On first arriving, from the labour and privation incident 

 to their migrations, they are lean, and little valued as food ; 

 but as their favourite natural harvest begins to swell out 

 fcnd approach maturity, they rapidly fatten ; and, from ike 

 middle of September to the same time in October, they 

 are m ezcellent order for the table, and eagerly sought 

 after wherever a gun can be obtained and brought into 

 operation. 



Walking by the borders of these reedy rivers, in ordinary 

 seasons, you hear, in all directions, the crowding Rails 

 squeaking like young puppies. If a stone be thrown in 

 amongst them, there is a general outcry through the reeds, 

 a confused and reiterated 'kiik 'kuh 'Jcuk ^IcJc ^k'k, resounds 

 from the covered marsh, and is again renewed by the timid 

 Ihrong, on the discharge of a gun or any other sudden noise 

 within their hearing. 



The Rails, however numerous, are scarcely visible, unless 

 it be at or near to high water ; for when the tide is down, 

 they have the art bo well to conceal themselves among 

 tbi) re^dfl, that you may walk past and even over them, 



