AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 



211 



pactness of the reed, and the swiftness of foot of the game, 

 tend to weary the sportsman, and tend to frustrate his en- 

 deavours. Even should he succeed in a tolerable degree, 

 the reward is not commensurate to the labour. I have 

 entered the marsh in a batteau, at a common tide, and in a 

 well known haunt have beheld but few birds. The next 

 better tide, on resorting to the same spot, I have perceived 

 abundance of game. The fact is, the Rail dive, and con- 

 ceal themselves beneath the fallen reed, merely projecting 

 tlieir heads above the surface of the water for air, and re- 

 main in that situation until the sportsman has passed them; 

 and it is well known, that it is a common practice with 

 wounded Rail to dive to the bottom, and, holding upon 

 some vegetable substance, support themselves in that situa- 

 tion until e.xhausted. During such times, the bird, in 



escaping from one enemy, has often to encounter another 

 not less formidable. Eels and cat-fish swarm in every 

 direction, prowling for prey; and it is ten to one if a 

 wounded Rail escapes them. I myself have beheld a large 

 eel make off with a bird that I had shot, before I had time 

 to pick it up; and one of my boys, in bobbing for eels, 

 caught one with a whole Rail in its belly. 



"I have heard it observed, that on the increase of the 

 moon, the Rail improves in fatness, and decreases in a con- 

 siderable degree with that planet. Sometimes I have con- 

 ceited that the remark was just. If it be a fact, I think 

 it may be explained on the supposition, that the bird is 

 enabled to feed at night, as well as by day, while it has the 

 benefit of the moon, and with less interruption than at other 

 periods." 



UNITED BOWMEN OF PHILADELPHIA. 



Long did he live the honour of the bow. 

 And his long life to that alone did owe. 



Epitaph on the tomb of Sir William Wood. 



Who has not heard of old Izaak Walton? far and near, our youthful recollections ever to be effaced, while we 



to old and young his name is familiar; his admirable skill have limb or muscle to follow the mazes of the brook, or, 



and instructions,°so wittily told, in the quaint language of when they have fail'd, a tongue to tell of by gone pastimes, 



the times in which he wrote, are too deeply impressed on Roger Ascham is not, I am sorry to say, so well known; 



