180 
CLAPPER RAIL. 
utes, 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 October, they move off to the south; and though, even in 
winter, a solitary instance of one may sometimes be seen, yet 
these are generally 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 colour; 
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 preced- 
ing species; wing coverts dark chesnut; quill feathers plain dus- 
ky; legs reddish 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 colour, tinged 
with brown; legs and feet a pale horn colour. Mr. Pennant, and 
several other naturalists, appear to have taken their descriptions 
from these imperfect specimens, the Clapper Rail being alto- 
gether unknown in Europe. 
I have never met with any of these birds in the interior at a 
distance from lakes or rivers. I have also made diligent inquiry 
