THE SORA RAIL. 149 



mast, in a light canoe, and filled with fire. The darker the night the more 

 successful is the sport. The person who manages the canoe is provided 

 with a light paddle, ten or twelve feet in length, and, about an hour before 

 high water, proceeds through among the reeds, which lie broken and floating 

 on the surface. The whole space, for a considerable way round the canoe, 

 is completely enlightened, the birds stare with astonishment, and, as they 

 appear, are knocked on the head with the paddle, and thrown into the canoe. 

 In this manner, from twenty to eighty dozen have been killed by three 

 negroes in the short space of three hours!" 



The flight of this little bird while migrating is low, and performed with a 

 constant beating of the wings, as in the Coot and other birds of its kind. 

 They pass swiftly along in compact flocks of from five to a hundred or more 

 individuals. At times you see them rise in a long curve, as if they had 

 perceived some dangerous object beneath them; then resume their ordinary 

 direct flight, and are soon out of sight. On the contrary, when they are 

 with us in autumn, they seem far from being alert on wing, flying slowly 

 with dangling legs, and proceeding only to a short distance, when they drop 

 among the reeds with their wings extended, as if they had been shot. If 

 raised two or three times, it is extremely difficult to see them again; for on 

 such occasions they will rather dive and hide under some floating weeds, 

 keeping their bill only above the water. When walking leisurely, they 

 throw up the tail, in the manner of Gallinules, and if they apprehend danger 

 in consequence of any suspicious sight or sound, they run off with great 

 speed. Their notes are shrill and short, but reiterated, like those of Rallies 

 crepitans, although by no means so loud and disagreeable. When wounded 

 they dive well at the approach of the sportsman, and sometimes cling to the 

 roots of the grasses for a few moments, but more usually rise under the 

 cover of the floating leaves. Some persons still believe that these birds 

 cannot be drowned; and this notion tempted my friend John Bachman to 

 make the experiment. In a note of his now before me, he says: — "I once, 

 in company with some naturalists of Philadelphia, tried two experiments 

 upon two Soras that had been slightly wounded in the wing, to ascertain 

 how long they could live under the water. They were placed in a covered 

 basket, which was sunk in the river. One remained fifteen, the other eight 

 minutes, under water; and on being taken out, they were both found dead. 

 We placed them in the sun for several days, but, I need hardly say, they did 

 not revive." 



The most curious habit or instinct of this species is the nicety of sense 

 by which they can ascertain the last moment they can remain at any of the 

 feeding grounds at which they tarry in autumn. One day, you may see or 

 hear the Soras in their favourite marshes, you may be aware of their presence 



Vol. V. 21 



