CLAPPER RAIL. 



113 



erect, and frequently flirted up. On fair ground they run nearly 

 as fast as a man; having myself, with great difficulty, caught some 

 that were wing broken. They have also the faculty of remaining 

 under water for several minutes, clinging close, head downwards, 

 by the roots of the grass. In a long stretch they fly with great 

 velocity, very much in the manner of a Duck, with extended neck, 

 and generally low; but such is their aversion to take wing, that 

 you may traverse the marshes where there are hundreds of these 

 birds, without seeing one of them; nor will they flush until they 

 have led the dog through numerous labyrinths, and he is on the 

 very point of seizing them. 



The food of the Clapper Rail consists of small shell fish, par- 

 ticularly those of the snail form, so abundant in the marshes; they 

 also eat small crabs. Their flesh is dry, tastes sedgy, and will 

 bear no comparison with that of the common Rail. Early in Oc- 

 tober they move off to the south ; and tho, even in winter, a soli- 

 tary instance of one may sometimes be seen, yet these are gene- 

 rally such as have been weak or wounded, and unable to perform 

 the journey. 



The Clapper Rail measures fourteen inches in length, and 

 eighteen in extent; the bill is two inches and a quarter long, 

 slightly bent, pointed, grooved, and of a reddish brown color; iris 

 of the eye dark red; nostril oblong, pervious; crown, neck and 

 back black, streaked with dingy brown; chin and line over the 

 eye brownish white; auriculars dusky; neck before, and whole 

 breast, of the same red brown as that of the preceding species; 

 wing coverts dark chesnut; quill feathers plain dusky; legs red- 

 dish brown; flanks and vent black, tipt or barred with white. 

 The males and females are nearly alike. 



The young birds of the first year have the upper parts of an 

 olive brown, streaked with pale slate; wings pale brown olive; 

 chin and part of the throat white; breast ash color, tinged with 

 brown; legs and feet a pale horn color. Mr. Pennant and several 



