194 
THE CAROLINA RAIL. 
excess of their fear and caution hurries them into additional 
dangers, and frustrates the intention of this instinct for 
preservation. 
The swooning, to which they appear subject, is not un- 
common with some small and delicate irritable birds, and 
canaries are often liable to these death-like spasms, into 
which they also fall at the instigation of some immaterial or 
trifling excitement of a particular kind. 
During the greater part of the months of September and 
October, the market of Philadelphia is abundantly supplied 
with this highly esteemed game, and they are usually sold 
at from fifty cents to a dollar the dozen. But soon after the 
first frosts of October, or towards the close of that month, 
they all move off to the south. In Virginia, they usually 
remain until the first week in November. In the vicinity 
of Cambridge (Mass.), a few, as a rarity only, are now and 
then seen in the course of the autumn, in the Zizania 
patches which border the outlet of Fresh Pond ; but none 
are either known or suspected to breed in any part of this 
state, where they are, as far as I can learn, everywhere 
uncommon. 
I LLUSTRAT I V E ANECDOTES. 
The usual method of shooting Bail on the Delaware, 
according to Wilson, is as follows : — The sportsman proceeds 
to the scene of action in a batteau, with an experienced 
boatman, who propels the boat with a pole. About two 
