388 RAIL. 



as ever. These facts go to prove, that the Rail is subject to gusts of 

 passion, which operate to so violent a degree as to produce a disease, 

 similar in its eflFects to epilepsy. I leave the explication of the 

 phenomenon to those pathologists who are competent and willing 

 to investigate it. It may be worthy of remark, that the birds 

 aifected as described, were all females of the Rallus OaroUnus, or 

 common Rail. 



" The Rail, though generally reputed a simple bird, will sometimes 

 manifest symptoms of considerable intelligence. To those acquainted 

 witn Rail-shooting, it is hardly necessary to mention, that the tide, in 

 its flux, is considered an almost indispensable auxiliary ; for, when the 

 water is off the marsh, the lubricity of the mud, the height and com- 

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

 weary the sportsman, and to frustrate his endeavors. Even should he 

 succeed in a tolerable degree, the reward is not commensurate to the 

 labor. 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 conceal themselves beneath the fallen 

 reed, merely projecting their heads above the surface of the water for 

 air, and remain 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 situation until exhausted. 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 considerable degree with that 

 planet. Sometimes I have conceited 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." 



