RAIL AND REED BIRDS. l8l 



or reed, as it is commonly called, shooting up from the oozy bottom, 

 alternately bare and flooded with water three or four feet at each 

 succeeding rise and fall of the tide. As the reed begins to ripen 

 about the middle or latter part of August, the Rail arrive and soon 

 become very fat, the wild oats imparting to them a delicious flavor 

 when served for the table. Countless numbers of reed or rice 

 birds flock to the same feeding ground, and although not proper 

 game, are much persecuted, more on account of the dainty dish 

 they offer than the pleasure they afford in shooting. 



Several varieties of the Rail are killed on the Delaware ; by far 

 the most common is the Porzana Carolina, or Sora. The Rallus 

 virginianiis, or Red Rail, a few years ago was more frequently met 

 with than latterly. The Rallus elegans, or King Rail is compara- 

 tively rare, but at times shot, and the Rallus longirostris. Clapper 

 Rail, or Mud-hen, so far leaves his home of the salt meadows as to 

 sometimes fall a victim to his wanderings. The common Coot, 

 likewise of the same family oi Rallidce, or Rail, may be considered 

 a rare bird here. 



At most, rail shooting does not last longer than three hours 

 during a day, and much depends upon the extent of the tide, and 

 indeed a great deal on the wind and the moon, for it is well known 

 that a full moon, occurring during the prevalence of a northeast- 

 erly or southeasterly wind, will bring on a "high water," which is 

 most favorable for rail shooting. The more tide the most Rail, 

 always. 



And now to the modus operandi of rail shooting. Fully 

 equipped, with plenty of ammunition — one hundred and fifty 

 rounds at least — (it is best to have enough, and not run short as 

 we did on one occasion, contenting ourself with " low boat "while 

 our companions were knocking the birds right and left around 

 us.) Your pusher will row you, we will say from the landing at 

 the Lazaretto, two or three hours before high water, to the upper 

 end of Tinnicum Island, in the centre of the river, where, if the 

 tide is to be a high one, the water will allow the boat to be pushed 

 first on to a flat on the Jersey shore called " Clemmel," which is 

 the lowest on the Delaware. Standing a little forward of amid- 

 ships you brace yourself while your attendant on the decked end 

 of his clinker-built skiff begins his work ; and it is work, this push- 



