THE RAILS AND REED BIRDS 329 



guns, since it was necessary to load and fire so rapidly 

 that the gun soon became too hot to load and handle 

 without danger. 



Rail shooting is a lazy sport compared to the tramp 

 across fields, but there is a charm about the boat-ride 

 through the tall, waving, yellow rice, down long av- 

 enues of open water and across through the reeds, 

 where the punter earns his wages driving the boat and 

 retrieving the birds. The vast stretches of yellow rice 

 harmonize well with the bluest skies and fleecy clouds 

 reflected in the water-ways. The shooting is always 

 rapid. Many double shots are made, and when one 

 fairly has his '* sea-legs" on there are few misses. 



When I first began to shoot rails I went out with a 

 youthful companion, and we took turns punting the 

 boat and shooting the birds. I quite enjoyed the 

 cruising about in the fresh, salt air, and, not caring 

 much for the game, willingly took my turn at the pole. 

 An occasional shot at a duck added interest to the 

 sport, and I would advise the rail shooter always to 

 have a few shells in a convenient pocket ready for in- 

 stant use on the larger game. The larger rails are 

 easily killed with the small shot (No. 10, or smaller) 

 used on the soras. Since the shots are all at short 

 range a half-load of powder will be sufficient and less 

 likely to damage other shooters who may be moving 

 about over the same ground. 



Dr. Lewis was very fond of this sport, and has given 

 us records of large bags containing hundreds of birds 

 made on one tide. As soon as the water subsides suf- 

 ficiently to prevent the moving of the boat the sport is 

 of course at an end. 



