THE RAIL. 275 



hooter has occasionally been deceived in his calculations on this 

 head. We have known excellent tides in our river when the wind 

 was blowing fresh from the northeast. 



It is a common observation that soras are fatter during the 

 increase and full of the moon than at any other time, which has 

 been accounted for by the fact that the bird is at this time able to 

 feed both by day and night; and, moreover, the high tides that 

 prevail frequently at this period enable the rails to get at the seeds 

 better, and a much greater deposit of them is also left on the mud 

 at low water, by the breaking down and shaking of the reeds 

 during the ebb and flow of the water. If the day be somewhat 

 hazy, it will answer the purpose of the sportsman much better 

 than a clear sky, as the reflection of the sun from the water upon 

 one's face, in connection with the beaming hot rays upon one's 

 head, for several hours together, is not the most pleasant position 

 that a shooter can place himself in. 



The sport continues without intermission till the receding tide 

 warns the "pusher" that all his efforts will soon prove unavailing 

 to propel the boat through the thick reeds that encompass him 

 on every side. 



It is useless to attempt to give any instructions as to shooting 

 these birds ; as we are convinced that any one who keeps his eyes 

 open, and points the gun towards the rail, will be sure to kill 

 them, as they seldom or never deviate from a direct course, but 

 pursue a bee-line for a few yards and then pop down again. The 

 only thing necessary to make an expert rail-shooter is a little 

 quickness in handling the gun, as the bird must be covered as soon 

 as on the wing, otherwise he flutters for a moment or so and then 

 drops in the reeds, and, as before remarked, when down after 

 being flushed, he lies very close, and is difficult to be got up 

 again. 



