SWIMMERS. 189 



broken, it is nearly impossible to catch it. When 

 driven from the grass, it will dive into the water, and 

 come up on the other side of a ditch, and again hide 

 among the thick grass, as before. 



So close do these birds lie among the grass, that a 

 hunter, with his dogs, may go into a marsh, where 

 there are hundreds of them, without seeing a single 

 one, except when they happen to cross a path, or 

 dive into the water. They will not fly, until so closely 

 pursued, that the dog is just on the point of seizing 

 them, when they rise and escape with great swiftness, 

 but light again within a few rods. 



The Virginian Rail resembles the Clapper Rail in 

 colour, and habits, and differs from it chiefly in being 

 much smaller. 



SWIMMERS. 



This Order of birds is distinguished from all others 

 by having a thin membrane, or web, between thir 

 toes, forming a foot, which may be spread out, or fold- 

 ed together, like a fan. Hence they are called web- 

 footed, and by reason of this form, these birds are 

 enabled to swim with wonderful ease and swiftness ; 

 for when the foot is spread, it presents a wide surface 

 to the water, by which the bird forces itself along, 

 and when folded, it is carried forward again, without 

 impeding her motion. Most of these birds have short 

 legs, which are well adapted to their modes of life, 

 but which unfits them for wading, or for walking with 

 much facility on the land. 

 17* 



