426 WOODCOCK. 
its flux, id considered an almost indispensable auxiliary ; for, when the 
water is « ¥ 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 
succéed 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 heneath 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 vegeta- 
ble 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. 
“T have heard it observed, that on the increase of the-moon the Rail 
improves in fatness, and decreases in a considerable degreé 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.” 
I have had my doubts as to the propriety of classing this bird under 
the genus Rallus. Both Latham and Pennant call it a Gallinule ; 
and when one considers the length and formation. of its bill, the 
propriety of their nomenclature is obvious. As the article was com- 
menced by our printers before I could make up my mind on the sub- 
ject, the reader is requested to consider this species the Gallinula 
Carolina of Dr. Latham. 
WOODCOCK.—SCOLOPAXK MINOR. —Fie. 194. 
Arct. Zool. p. 463, No. 385. — Turt. Syst. 396.— Lath. Syn. iii. 131. 
RUSTICOLA MINOR. — Vixjii0T.* 
Rusticola minor, Vieill. Gal. des Ois. 242,— Great Red Woodcock, Scolopax 
Americana rufa, Bort, Trav. 292. — Scolopax Rusticola minor, Bonap. Synop. 
p- 331. Monog. del Gen. Scolopax Osser. sulla, 2d ed. del Reg. Anim. Cuv. 
Turs bird, like the preceding, is universally known to our sports- 
men. It arrives in Pennsylvania early in March, sometimes sooner; 
and I doubt not but in mild winters some few remain with us the 
whole of that season. During the day, they keep to the woods and 
_* Among many na-ural groups, such as Scolopax of Linnzeus, there are grada- 
tions of form which have not been thought of sufficient importance to constitute 2 
