278 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



from twenty to eighty dozen have been killed by three negroes in 

 the short space of three hours." 



NETTING RAILS. 



We have been informed that a French gentleman of our city 

 conceived the project of driving rails into nets set in the reeds; 

 but we believe that he was not very successful in the undertaking, 

 at all events, not as much so as he has been in the capture of reed- 

 birds by a somewhat similar process. 



FISH PREY UPON RAILS. 



Wherever rails abound, eels and catfish are said to resort in 

 great numbers, anxiously awaiting every opportunity to prey upon 

 all those that escape the eye of the marker after being killed, or 

 that die from wounds. It is no uncommon thing to find portions 

 of these birds, and even whole rails, in the stomachs of eels. 



PLACES TO SHOOT RAILS. 



It is difficult to say where, upon the Delaware, sportsmen can 

 find the most rails, as every spot teeming with the Zizania aqua- 

 tica is filled with these little birds, and great numbers are killed 

 in the neighborhoods of Trenton, Bristol, Bordentown, Burlington, 

 Bridesburg, Gloucester Point, Penrose Ferry, Marcus Hook, Laza- 

 retto, Chester, &c. This latter place is perhaps as good as any, 



