DIET OF RAILS. 249 



occasion I was able to command a view of several 

 yards through a natural vista, probably opened by a 

 current. Such an opportunity of acquiring an insight 

 into the habits of these timid birds I could not let 

 pass. After remaining nearly a quarter of an hour in 

 a state of perfect quiescence, the feathered strangers 

 seemed to gain confidence. Coming to the conclu- 

 sion apparently that my boat was tenantless, several 

 mild but suspicious eyes were seen taking observa- 

 tions, first from one and then from another tuft of 

 vegetable debris. Satisfied with the inspection, the 

 birds came successively into or crossed the line of my 

 sight. Previous to this I was disposed to believe 

 the diet of rails almost entirely vegetable, but I now 

 learned that animal food was not objected to. The 

 rapidity of this bird when on the ground is surpris- 

 ing, its feet moving so rapidly that they can scarcely 

 be distinguished as they run. On such occasions 

 the body is reached forward and depressed very low 

 in front, while their tails nervously and incessantly 

 twitch every few moments. 



All seasons and places have their peculiar attrac- 

 tions, and the beauty of some of these immense 

 marshes, covered with a wild crop of the richest and 

 ripest hues, is very remarkable. The dense growth 

 of water-plants, gently waving before the last breath 

 of the breeze as it dies out with the declining day, 

 the whole mellowed with the soft, subdued, hazy 

 light of such a sunset as follows a warm summer 

 day, forms a scene that can always be remembered 



