UPLAND SHOOTING. 
287 
not commensurate to the labor. I have entered the marsh in a 
batteau, at a common tide, and in a well-known haunt, have 
beheld but a few birds. The next better tide, on our resorting 
to the same spot, I perceived abundance of game. The 
fact is, the Rail dive and conceal themselves beneath the fallen 
reed, merely projecting their heads above the surface of the 
water for air, and remain in that situation until the sportsman 
has passed them, and it is well known that it is a common prac¬ 
tice with wounded Rail to dive to the bottom, and holding on to 
some vegetable substance, support themselves in that situation 
until exhausted. 
“ During such times, the bird, in escaping from one enemy has 
often to encounter with another not less formidable. Eels and 
cat-fish swim in every direction seeking for prey, and it is ten to 
one if a wounded Rail escape them. I myself have beheld a large 
eel make off with a bird that I had shot, before I had time 
to pick it up ; and one of my boys, in bobbing for eels, caught 
one with a whole Rail in its belly. I have heard it observed 
that on the increase of the moon the Rail improves in fatness, 
and decreases in a considerable degree with that planet. Some¬ 
times I have conceited that the remark was just. If it be a 
fact, I think it may be explained on the supposition that the 
bird is enabled to feed at night as well as by day, while it has 
the benefit of the moon, and with less interruption than at other 
periods. 
“ I have had my doubts as to the propriety of classing this 
bird under the genus Rallus. Both Latham and Pennant call 
it a Gallinula, and when one considers the length and formation 
of its bill, the propriety of the nomenclature is obvious. 
“ As the article was commenced by our printers before I could 
make up my mind on the subject, the reader is requested to 
consider this species the Gallinula Carolina of Dr. Latham.”— 
Wilson’s American Ornithology. 
To set aside the possibility of continued doubt on the subject 
of the migration of the Rail, which really seems to be so per 
VOL. i. 21 
