192 THE CAROLINA RAIL, 



where there are hundreds, without stieiLg probably a singU 

 individual. 



The flight of the Rails, while confined among the rice 

 reeds, is low, feeble, and fluttering, with the legs hanging 

 down, as if the efibrt were unnatural and constrained, which 

 may, no doubt, at times, be produced by the extreme cor- 

 pulency which they attain in a favourable season for food j 

 yet, occasionally, they will rise to a considerable height, 

 cud cross considerable streams without any reluctance or 

 difficulty ; so that however short may be their wings, the 

 muscles by which they are set in motion are abundantly 

 sufficient to provide them the means of pursuing the do' 

 liberate stages of their migratory course. Wherever the 

 Zizania and its nutritious grain abounds, there the Rails 

 are generally seen. 



In the reedy lakes of Michigan, as well as the tide-water 

 streams of the Atlantic, these birds are found congregated, 

 in quest of their favourite food. In Virginia, they are par 

 tieularly abundant along the grassy banks of James River, 

 within the bounds of tide-water, where they are often taken 

 in the night, while perched among the reeds ; being stupi- 

 tied by the glare of a fire carried in among them, they are 

 then easily approached by a boat, and rudely knocked on 

 the head with a paddle ; sometimes in such quantities, that 

 three negroes, in as many hours, hav3 been known to kill 

 from twenty to eighty dozen. 



Fear seems to be a ruling passion among the whoio trib« 



