38 



RAIL 



mediately fell. Its feet and neck were extended, as in the instance 

 above mentioned; and before it had time to recover I killed it. 

 Some few days afterwards, as a friend and I were gimning in the 

 same place, he shot a Rail, and, as we approached the spot to pick 

 it up, another was perceived not a foot off in a fit. I took up the 

 bird, and placed it in the crown of my hat. In a few moments it 

 revived, and was as vigorous 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 effects to epilepsy. 

 I leave the explication of the phenomenon to those physiologists 

 who are competent and willing to investigate it. It may be wor- 

 thy of remark, that the birds affected as described, were all females 

 of the Rallus Virginianus, or common Rail. 



"The Rail, though generally reputed a simple bird, will some- 

 times manifest symptoms of considerable intelligence. To those 

 acquainted with Rail-shooting it is hardly necessary to mention, 

 that the tide, in its flux, is considered an almost indispensible auxi- 

 liary; for, when the water is off the marsh, the lubricity of the 

 mud, the height and compactness of the reed, and the swiftness of 

 foot of the game, tend to weary the sportsman and to frustrate his 

 endeavours. Even should he succeed in a tolerable degree, the 

 reward is not commensurate to the labour. 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 ve- 

 getable substance, support themselves in that situation until ex- 

 hausted. During such*times the bird, in escaping from one enemy, 

 has often to encounter another not less formidable. Eels and 



