114 
RALLUS CAROLINUS. 
be no reasonable doubt as to the residence of many * 
these birds, both here and to the northward, du^iI'^ 
the summer. That there can be as little doubt relati''® 
to their winter retreat, will appear more particularfy 
towards the sequel of the present account. Duri"? 
their residence here, in summer, their maimers exactly 
correspond with those of the water crake of Britain, 
that, thonijh actually a different species, their particul#* 
habits, common places of resort, and eagerness W 
concealment, are as nearly the same as the nature 
the climates will admit. , 
Early in August, when the reeds along the shores o' 
the Delaware have attained their full growth, the ro>‘ 
resort to them in great numbers to feed on the seew 
of this plant, of which they, as well as the rice bic^*’ 
and several others, are immoderately fond. The-'® 
reeds, which appear to bo the zizania jtanicula 
of Linniens, and the zizania r.lavulasa of Willdeno"' 
grow up from the soft muddy shores of the tide watcti 
which are alternateU' dry, and covered with four or 
feet of water. They rise with an erect, tapering stei* 
to the height of eight or ten feet, being nearly as tliic^ 
below as a man’s wrist, and cover tracts along the riv**^ 
of many acres. The cattle feed on their long gre®* 
leaves with avidity, and wade in after them as far ** 
they dare safely venture. They grow up so clo^ 
together, that, except at or near high water, a boat caij 
with difficulty make its way through among them. Tl'*’ 
seeds are produced at the top of the plant, the blossoi"* 
or male parts occupying the lower branches of 
panicle, and the seeds the higher. These seeds 
nearly as long as a common sized pin, somewhat vapt* 
slender, white, sweet to the taste, and very nutritir'^? 
as appears by their effects on the various birds that * 
this season feed on them. 
When the reeds are in this state, and even while 
blossom, the rail are found to have taken possession n 
them in great numbers. These are generally numeron* 
in proportion to the full and promising crop ot tj*, 
former. As you walk along the embankment of 
