102 NATURAL HISTOET SKETCHES. 



I can't say that ever I shot a true Water-rail out 

 here. I have killed a small dark-coloured bird in the 

 swamps rather resembling that bird, but I do not re- 

 member whether it was a rail or a crake. One thing is 

 certain, if there is any real water-rail in this country, it 

 must be very rare. 



