YOUNG RAIL. 251 



Illinois, the gigantic marsh that margins the Detroit 

 river to the northward and eastward, are also their 

 homes ; but the latter localities, not being subject 

 to the influences of tides, such quantities cannot be 

 obtained by the sportsman as in the former states. 

 Nevertheless, I believe from observation that they 

 more frequently select them as their breeding-grounds. 

 When residing in the vicinity of the grand 

 prairie during those months that constitute the 

 close season, when game was sacred even to me, a 

 keen sportsman living, as many believe, only to 

 wantonly shed blood, I have frequently in the cool 

 of the summer evening, when giving my setters a 

 run, found the young of this rail, little, soft, shape- 

 less, awkward, timid creatures, clothed in a dark 

 suit of burnt cork-coloured plumage, capable of 

 making good use of their legs, but most amusingly 

 awkward in their movements when forced to take 

 flight. A noble old setter, who was a perfect re- 

 triever, and often took liberties with me on account 

 of the length and strength of our affection for each 

 other, has frequently brought me one of these tiny 

 balls of down in his mouth, which was so capacious 

 that scarcely the smallest part of the young birds 

 could be observed, while they were held within his 

 powerful jaws. When ordered he would release the 

 trembling captive; or deposit it in my hand, specially 

 satisfied, as was indicated by the intelligent twinkle 

 of his eyes, and the speaking gestures of his body, 

 when the latter was the case. 



