RAIL 



39 



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. 



" I have heard it observed, that on the increase of the moon 

 the Rail improves in fatness, and decreases in a considerable de- 

 gree 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 sup- 

 position, 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 interrup- 

 tion than at other periods." 



