168 THE CLAPPER RAIL. 



The Salt-water Marsh-hen swims with considerable ease, though not swift- 

 ly or gracefully. While in this act, it extends its neck forward, and strikes 

 the water with its feet, as if unwilling to move far at a time, the motion of 

 its neck resembling that of the Gallinules. It dives well, remains a con- 

 siderable time under water, and in this manner dexterously eludes its pur- 

 suers, although it certainly does not possess the power of holding fast to the 

 bottom, as some persons have alleged. When hard pressed, it often sinks 

 just below the surface, keeping the bill above in order to breathe, and in 

 this position, if not detected, remains for a considerable time. If perceived 

 and approached, it instantly dives, and uses its wings to accelerate its pro- 

 gress, but rises as soon as it comes to a place of safety. 



Their movements on the ground, or over the partially submersed or float- 

 ing beds of weeds, are extremely rapid, and they run swiftly off before a 

 dog, the utmost exertions of which are required to force them on wing. 

 Such an attempt by man would prove utterly futile, unless he were to come 

 upon them unawares. When not pursued, and feeling secure, they walk in 

 a deliberate manner, the body considerably inclined, now and then jerking 

 the tail upwards, although by no means so frequently as Gallinules are wont 

 to do. On the least appearance of danger, they lower the head, stretch out 

 the neck, and move off with incomparable speed, always in perfect silence. 

 They have thousands of paths among the rank herbage, crossing each other 

 so often that they can very easily escape pursuit; and besides, they have a 

 power of compressing their body to such a degree, as frequently to force a 

 passage between two stems so close, that one could hardly believe it possible 

 for them to squeeze themselves through. When put up, they fly slowly and 

 generally straight before you, with their legs dangling, so that they are very 

 easily shot by a quick sportsman, as they rarely fly far at a time on such oc- 

 casions, but prefer pitching down again into the first tuft of rank grass in 

 their way. When on their migrations, however, they pass low and swiftly 

 over the marshes, or the water, stretched to their full extent, and with a con- 

 stant beat of the wings. 



The young, which are at first covered with down of a black colour, obtain 

 their full plumage before the winter arrives, and after this undergo little 

 change of colour, although they increase in size for a year after. In the 

 Eastern States, this species is not held in much estimation as an article of 

 food, perhaps in a great measure on account of the quantity of Soras met 

 with there during early autumn, and which are certainly more delicate; but 

 in the Southern States, especially during winter, they are considered good 

 for the table, and a great number are killed and offered for sale in the 

 markets. Numbers are destroyed by torch light, which so dazzles their 

 eyes, as to enable persons fond of the sport to knock them down with poles 



