TTPLAND SHOOTING. 285 



This bird which is, properly, 



The Ci.aim'er Rvii-, or Salt Water Marsh Hen, Ral- 

 Lus Crepitans, is a constant resident at one period or other 

 of the year, on some part of the Atlantic coasts from Long 

 Lslaid to the Crult* of Mexico. It is a lartje-sized bird, weigliing 

 11 to 1 •.' o/., and looking much larger than it really is. They 

 are shot in the hnys of liono^ Island, and still more abnndantly 

 in the vicinity of Charkjston, much as the Sora Rail is on the 

 Delaware ; the boats are, however, in this sport, if it can be 

 so called — !'or the birds are large, clumsy, slow-moving and 

 cannot be missed — propelled by oars or paddled, not by the 

 pole. On Long Island and generally in the Middle States, this 

 bird is called the Mud, or Meadow- Hen. 



The other species commonly met with by the sportsman are, 



The Great Red-Breasted Rail, or Fresh Water Marsh 

 Hen — Rallus Elegans — commonly known in Pennsylvania 

 and New-Jersey as the " King Rail." 



This is the largest and by far the handsomest of the tribe; its 

 weight is about 11 to 13 oz. — its length 2Q\ inches by an alar 

 extent of 22. 



It is rarely found east of Pennsylvania, although I have occa- 

 sionally killed it in New-Jersey. It is a constant resident of 

 the Southern States. 



The Virginia Rail — Rallus Virginianus. This bird 

 greatly resembles the last species, though not much more than 

 half its size. It is properly a Southern bird, but is found during 

 the autumn, in small numbers along the atlantic coasts. It is 

 killed l>oth on fresh and salt water, but is nowhere exceedingly 

 abundant. 



In addition to these, I may name the common Coot of Araeii- 

 ca, and the common Galhnule, both of this same family of 

 Rm.lid.e. They are principally Southern birds, though strag- 

 glers ai-e occasionally found in the Middle and EasteiTi States. 

 They are of little worth for the sport which they afford, and still 

 less f u- the quality of their flesh ; but like many other water 

 birds and waders, such as the Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, and the 



