THE RAILS AND REED BIRDS 333 



size, their pattern and markings, appear in the illus- 

 trations. 



THE REED-BIRD 



The reed-bird of the sportsmen is the familiar bob- 

 olink, seen in the summer in the northern fields. It 

 changes its plumage and assumes an inconspicuous 

 dress toward the end of summer, and, going south in 

 flocks, appears in the wild-rice marshes where it soon 

 becomes very fat. Dr. Lewis praises its flesh and re- 

 fers to it as a bird much prized by Philadelphia sports- 

 men, but for my part I should like to see it protected 

 at all times. It is usually shot with the rails on the 

 same grounds. Reed-birds fly in flocks and it is easy 

 to knock down a large lot of them at a shot ; it not 

 being uncommon, according to Dr. Lewis, to kill four 

 or five dozen from a well-directed fire of a double 

 gun. Once, he says, thirteen dozen were picked up, 

 the result of a raking fire poured into a flock from an 

 old fowling-piece that " scattered most confoundedly;" 

 but this, he adds, "was by no means the largest number I 

 have heard of, but I give this record as well authenti- 

 cated, and within the bounds of credence." 



Reed-birds are often taken in nets, and sell well in 

 certain markets. 



They are about as good game birds as the smaller 

 rails, but the rails are never seen on the lawn and are 

 only found in the marshes, while the bobolink not 

 only has a cheerful song but is an ornament to the 

 fields, and so I say he should be eliminated from the 

 list of game by legislation. 



