THE SORA RAIL. 
149 
mast, in a light canoe, and filled with fire. The darker the night the more 
successful is the sport. The person who manages the canoe is provided 
with a light paddle, ten or twelve feet in length, and, about an hour before 
high water, proceeds through among the reeds, which lie broken and floating 
on the surface. The whole space, for a considerable way round the canoe, 
is completely enlightened, the birds stare with astonishment, and, as they 
appear, are knocked on the head with the paddle, and thrown into the canoe, 
In this manner, from twenty to eighty dozen have been killed by three 
negroes in the short space of three hours !” 
The flight of this little bird while migrating is low, and performed with a 
constant beating of the wings, as in the Coot and other birds of its kind. 
They pass swiftly along in compact flocks from five to a hundred or more 
individuals. At times you see them rise in a long curve, as if they had 
perceived some dangerous object beneath them ; then resume their ordinary 
direct flight, and are soon out of sight. On the contrary, when they are 
with us in autumn, they seem far from being alert on wing, flying slowly 
with dangling legs, and proceeding only to a short distance, when they drop 
among the reeds with their wings extended, as if they had been shot. If 
raised two or three times, it is extremely difficult to see them again ; for on 
such occasions they will rather dive and hide under some floating weeds, 
keeping their bill only above the water. When walking leisurely, they 
throw up the tail, in the manner of Gallinules, and if they apprehend danger 
in consequence of any suspicious sight or sound, they run off with great 
speed. Their notes are shrill and short, but reiterated, like those of Rallus 
crepitans , although by no means so loud and disagreeable. When wounded 
they dive well at the approach of the sportsman, and sometimes cling to the 
roots of the grasses for a few moments, but more usually rise under the 
cover of the floating leaves. Some persons still believe that these birds 
cannot be drowned ; and this notion tempted my friend John Bachman to 
make the experiment. In a note of his now before me, he says : — “ I once, 
in company with some naturalists of Philadelphia, tried two experiments 
upon two Soras that had been slightly wounded in the wing, to ascertain 
how long they could live under the water. They were placed in a covered 
basket, which was sunk in the river. One remained fifteen, the other eight 
minutes under water ; and on being taken out, they were both found dead. 
We placed them in the sun for several days, but, I need hardly say, they did 
not revive.” 
The most curious habit or instinct of this species is the nicety of sense 
by which they can ascertain the last moment they can remain at any of the 
feeding grounds at which they tarry in autumn. One day, you may see or 
hear the Soras in their favourite marshes, you maybe aware of their presence 
Vol. Y. 21 
