114 RALLUS CAROLINUS. 



be no reasonable doubt as to the residence of many of 

 these birds, both here and to the northward, during 

 the summer. That there can be as little doubt relative 

 to their winter retreat, will appear more particularly 

 towards the sequel of the present account. During 

 their residence here, in summer, their manners exactly 

 correspond with those of the water crake of Britain, so 

 that, though actually a different species, their particular 

 habits, common places of resort, and eagerness for 

 concealment, are as nearly the same as the nature of 

 the climates will admit. 



Early in August, when the reeds along- the shores of 

 the Delaware have attained their full growth, the rail 

 resort to them in great numbers to feed on the seeds 

 of this plant, of which they, as well as the rice birds, 

 and several others, are immoderately fond. These 

 reeds, which appear to be the zizania panicula effusa 

 of Linnaeus, and the zizania clavulosa of Willdenow, 

 grow up from the soft muddy shores of the tide water, 

 which are alternately dry, and covered with four or five 

 feet of water. They rise with an erect, tapering stem, 

 to the height of eight or ten feet, being nearly as thick 

 below as a man's wrist, and cover tracts along the river 

 of many acres. The cattle feed on their long green 

 leaves with avidity, and wade in after them as far as 

 they dare safely venture. They grow up so close 

 together, that, except at or near high water, a boat ran 

 with difficulty make its way through among them. The 

 seeds are produced at the top of the plant, the blossoms 

 or male parts occupying the lower branches of the 

 panicle, and the seeds the higher. These seeds are 

 nearly as long as a common sized pin, somewhat more 

 slender, white, sweet to the taste, and very nutritive, 

 as appears by their effects on the various birds that at 

 tlii^ season feed on them. 



When the reeds are in this state, and even while in 

 blossom, the rail are found to have taken possession of 

 them in great numbers. These are generally numerous 

 in proportion to the full and promising crop of the 

 former. As you walk along the embankment of the 



