2 38 RAIL. 



Zizania panicula effusa of Linnaeus, and the Zizania clavulosa 

 of Willdenow, grow up from the soft muddy shores of the tide 

 water, which are alternately dry, and covered with four or five 

 feet of water. They rise with an erect, tapering stem, to 

 the height of eight or ten feet, being nearly as thick below as 

 a man's wrist, and cover tracts along the river of many acres. 

 The cattle feed on their long green leaves with avidity, and 

 wade in after them as far as they dare safely venture. They 

 grow up so close together, that, except at or near high water, 

 a boat can with difficulty make its way through among them. 

 The seeds are produced at the top of the plant, the blossoms, 

 or male parts, occupying the lower branches of the panicle, 

 and the seeds the higher. These seeds are nearly as long as 

 a common-sized pin, somewhat more slender, white, sweet to 

 the taste, and very nutritive, as appears by their effects on the 

 various birds that at this season feed on them. 



When the reeds are in this state, and even while in blossom, 

 the rail are found to have taken possession of them in great 

 numbers. These are generally numerous in proportion to the 

 full and promising crop of the former. As you walk along 

 the embankment of the river at this season, you hear them 

 squeaking in every direction like young puppies. If a stone 

 be thrown among the reeds, there is a general outcry, and a 

 reiterated kuk, kuk, kuk, something like that of a guineafowl. 

 Any sudden noise, or the discharge of a gun, produces the 

 same effect. In the meantime none are to be seen, unless it 

 be at or near high water ; for when the tide is low, they 

 universally secrete themselves among the interstices of 

 the reeds, and you may walk past, and even over, where 

 there are hundreds, without seeing a single individual. On 

 their first arrival, they are generally lean, and unfit for the 

 table ; but, as the reeds ripen, they rapidly fatten, and from 

 the 20th of September to the middle of October are excellent, 

 and eagerly sought after. The usual method of shooting 

 them, in this quarter of the country, is as follows : — The 

 sportsman furnishes himself with a light batteau, and a stout 



