388 
RAIL. 
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 pathologists who are competent and willing 
to investigate it. It may be worthy of remark, that the birds 
affected as described, were all females of the Ilallus Carolinus, or 
common Rail. 
" The Rail, though generally reputed a simple bird, will sometimes 
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 indispensable auxiliary ; for, when the 
water is off the marsh, the lubricity of the mud, the height and com- 
pactness of the reed, and the swiftness of foot of the game, tend to 
weary the sportsman, and to frustrate his endeavors. Even should he 
succeed in a tolerable degree, the reward is not commensurate to the 
labor. 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 beneatb 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 vegetable substance, support 
themselves in that situation until exhausted. During such times, the 
bird, in escaping from one enemy, has often to encounter another not less 
formidable. Eels and 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 degree 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 supposition, 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 interruption than at other periods." 
