168 
THE CLAPPER RAIL. 
The Salt-water Marsh-hen swims with considerable ease, though not 
swiftly or gracefully. While in this act, it extends its neck forward, and 
strikes the water with its feet, as if unwilling to move far at a time, the 
motion of its neck resembling that of the Gallinules. It dives well, remains 
a considerable time under water, and in this manner dexterously eludes its 
pursuers, although it certainly does not possess the power of holding fast 
to the bottom, as some persons have alleged. When hard pressed it often 
sinks just below the surface, keeping the bill above in order to breathe, and 
in this position, if not detected, remains for a considerable time: If per- 
ceived and approached, it instantly dives, and uses its wings to accelerate 
its progress, but rises as soon as it comes to a place of safety. 
Their movements on the ground, or over the partially submersed or float- 
ing beds of weeds, are extremely rapid, and they run swiftly off before a 
dog, the utmost exertions of which are required to force them on wing. 
Such an attempt by man would prove utterly futile, unless he were to come 
upon them unawares. When not pursued, and feeling secure, they walk in 
a deliberate manner, the body considerably inclined, now and then jerking 
the tail upwards, although by no means so frequently as Gallinules are wont 
to do. On the least appearance of danger, they lower the head, stretch out 
the neck, and move off with incomparable speed, always in perfect silence. 
They have thousands of paths among the rank herbage, crossing each other 
so often that they can very easily escape pursuit ; and besides, they have a 
power of compressing their body to such a degree, as frequently to force a 
passage between two stems so close, that one could hardly believe it possible 
for them to squeeze themselves through. When put up, they fly slowly and 
geaerally straight before you, with their legs dangling, so that they are very 
easily shot by a quick sportsman, as they rarely fly far at a time on such 
occasions, but prefer pitching down again into the first tuft of rank grass 
in their way. When on their migrations, however, they pass low and 
swiftly over the marshes, or the water, stretched to their full extent, and 
with a constant beat of the wings. 
The young, which are at first covered with down of a black colour, obtain 
their full plumage before the winter arrives, and after this undergo little 
change of colour, although they increase in size for a year after. In the 
Eastern States, this -species is not held in much estimation as an article of 
food, perhaps in a great measure on account of the quantity of Soras met 
with there during early autumn, and which are certainly more delicate ; but 
in the Southern States, especially during winter, they are considered good 
for the table, and a great number are killed and offered for .sale in the 
markets. Numbers are destroyed by torch light, which so dazzles their 
eyes, as to enable persons fond of the sport to knock them down with poles 
