228 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



observation in the reeds, even if the stern or bow of the boat is 

 not stuffed full before leaving the landing ; or perchance he may 

 find a dozen or two cunningly staked out in the reeds, which will 

 so considerably augment his numbers that no shot, no matter how 

 good, can easily overcount him. 



We know that such tricks have been practised upon our friends, 

 " and we consider it our duty to expose them, and thus put the 

 green ones" on their guard, or, at least, on an equal footing with 

 these wonderful "rail-shooters," who every season perform such 

 miracles and make loud boasts of their slaughter and carnage. 



As the boat passes through the reeds, the rails usually rise 

 singly a few feet in advance of the bow, and, flying slowly in a 

 direct line, present a fair mark for the sportsman. It is seldom 

 that more than one bird is killed at a time, although two are occa- 

 sionally brought down with one barrel, when they spring fast and 

 cross each other in their flight. 



It is the duty of the "pusher" to mark the birds which are killed, 

 as also to notice where those that escape drop down ; and when a 

 rail springs on either side of the boat, he should call out "Mark!" 

 so that the shooter may be on the alert to bang away in every 

 direction. The higher the tide the better the sport, as the boat 

 will glide more freely over the reeds, and the birds, having less 

 shelter, are obliged to spring more frequently when come upon. 

 The reeds around the boat should be constantly beaten with the pole, 

 as rails are often concealed within a few feet of our track and 

 will not stir without being driven to "wing" by this method. 



The tides are regulated very much by the wind ; and the moon, 

 also, has no small influence in the production of high tides com- 

 monly called "spring-tides," which may occur both at the full and 

 change, as at both these periods she acts on the earth in conjunc- 

 tion with the sun. 



For rail-shooting in the Delaware or Schuylkill, and, in fact, in 

 all the tributaries of the former, a southerly or southeasterly wind 

 will produce the best tides ; but we have seen good tides when the 

 wind was from quite a contrary direction, and no doubt every rail- 



