THE SORA RAIL 235 



pass along as well as if on dry ground, or swim- 

 ming as buoyantly as ducks in the stretches of 

 clear water, bobbing their heads much as does 

 a hen when walking. Whether walking or run- 

 ning (and they are seldom still for an instant) 

 they are continually flirting their tails about, 

 usually carrying them jauntily erect. In the 

 spring these high tides are often very destruc- 

 tive to rail's nests and eggs. 



If the Sora is wounded, but uninjured in the 

 legs, you may as well give up all idea of captur- 

 ing it without a dog ; for it runs rapidly through 

 tangled and matted grass, where you would 

 scarcely expect it to make any headway, and it 

 can swim as well under water as on the surface. 

 It is not uncommon to see them dive and cling 

 to the bottom as long as possible, only letting 

 go when half-drowned, and then making their 

 way to some hiding place in the grass where 

 they may put their heads out in safety. 



The rail is an easy mark for the shooter be- 

 cause of its slow and steady flight, except when 

 traveling before a brisk breeze, when, of course, 

 it moves fast enough. However, rail shooting 

 requires a bit more skill than ''potting" swal- 

 lows on a telegraph wire, even though it may 



