BIRDS OF THE SHORE AND MARSHES 223 



gathering for migration, they are found in the dense thick- 

 ets of wooded uplands, where a stream flows to keep the 

 ground soft; and in October, when the birds are in prime 

 condition, the spot that contained scores at evening may 

 hold none by morning. The russet-colored birds mingle 

 with the russet-colored leaves, and, as they lie close, it takes 

 a good dog to find them. The woodcocks migrate silently 

 by night, and an early frost, that stiffens the ground, drives 

 them oflf suddenly to softer territory southward. Hence 

 the element of uncertainty enters into looking for this bird, 

 that is here to-day and gone to-morrow. When flushed, its 

 flight appears to be feeble, as, after a few whistles of its 

 short, stiff wings, and trailing its legs behind it, it quickly 

 drops into cover again, running a little distance on alight- 

 ing; but the distances covered in migrations prove it to be 

 no tmskilled flier. 



The woodcock could be confused only with Wilson's 

 snipe, of similar coloring and habits. 



Sora and Clapper Rails 



Rails, like coots, are often called mud hens, and they are 

 such shy, skulking hiders among the tall marsh grasses that 

 no novice need hope to know them all; but a few members 

 of the family that are both abundant and noisy may be 

 readily recognized by their voices alone. 



All rails prefer to escape from an intruder through the 

 sedges in well-worn runways rather than trust their short, 

 rounded wings to bear them beyond danger; and for forc- 

 ing then- way through grassy jungles, their narrow- 

 breasted, wedge-shaped bodies are perfectly adapted. 

 Compressed almost to a point in front, but broad and 



