CAEOHNA RAIL. 
121 
affected as described, were all females of the 
,^^^irginianus, or common rail. 
^.j], rail, though generally reputed a simple bird, 
l|.**onietimes manifest symptoms of considerable 
ij , *^*ffence. To those acquainted with rail shooting, it 
ig '^'’dly necessary to mention, that the tide, in its flux, 
^^j^®onsidered an almost indispensable auxiliary; for, 
•Sud*' ■"■ater is off the marsh, the lubricity of the 
height and compactness of the reed, and the 
of foot of the game, tend to weary the sports- 
'‘T'd to frustrate his endeavours. Even should he 
in a tolerable degree, the reward is not com- 
5 'karate to the labour. 1 have entered the mar-sh in 
*’'i6au at a common tide, and in a well known haunt 
^eheld hut few birds. The next better tide, on 
Qf^fting tiig same spot, I have perceived abundance 
game. x|.,e fjjgt ‘the rail dive, and conceal thera- 
beneath the fallen reed, merely projecting their 
above the surface of the water for air, and remain 
and **'iuation until the sportsman has passed them ; 
Vg **■ ’■'* Welt known, that it is a common practice with 
rail to dive to the bottom, and, holdinir upon 
sity® .^®getable substance, support themselves in that 
ill ”**0 until exhausted. During such times the bird, 
from one enemy, has often to encounter 
iji g not less formidable. Eels and cat-fish swarm 
if j *‘’y direction prowling for prey, and it is ten to one 
a l^j^^^noded rail escapes them. I myself have beheld 
1 ®ol make off with a bird that I had shot, before 
lichh? ’■'nie to pick it up ; and one of my boys, in 
belly “g caught one with a whole rail in its 
'"non heard it observed, that on the increase of the 
®®nsi 1 improves in fatness, and decreases in a 
bayg ®'^able degree with that planet. Sometimes I 
fatj ^nneeited that the remark was just. If it be a 
tbiij A. May be explained on the supposition 
4ay ‘I®, bird is enabled to feed at night, as w'ell as by 
has the benefit of the moon, and with less 
*'®ption than at other periods.” 
