The Cecil Whig., 1843-09-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
For the Cecil Whig.
HIGH MISUNDERSTANDING &C.

HIGH notwithstanding &C.
On Friday Of last week, there was the
highest tide in Elk River, that has been
known here for many years. At Balti
more and south of it, there bad been a
violent gale during The night before. The
wind blowing from S. S. West, drove the
water up the bay into the river, meeting
the waters Of the Elk creeks, which were
considerably swollen by Previous RAIN
ihe conjunction of the flood from sea and
the food from land causing the high tide.
The causeway between the town and
the residence of Mrs. SewaIl, was COM
pletely covered, and some piles of boards
in Mr.. Jacob Howard's lumber yard were
set afloal, but no damage was done of any
amount.
The marshes being completely sub
merged, the ''dwellers in'' there, whether
bjpeds, Quadrupeds. or mullpedes, were
forced TO ''get out Of the high grass" to
keep their llle-ire from being drowned
out. Muskrats, ground rats, mice, rail
birds, marsh wrens, etc, were dipping,
diving. fitting, and 0utterlng, all around
the shores, and amongst the tops Of the
weeds and grass that still kept their heads
above water. Swarms of black birds that
during the summer had had their wings
broken, o. were otherwise disabled by
gunncrs, and had taken refuge in the ''hos-
pi1al'' furnished by the rank vegetation of
the marshes, which served TO hide them
from their enemies, and where food aboun-
dcd without the trouble of flying for it.
were seen seeking some favorite coast, or
like drowning men "catching at sttaws"
Many Of them fell victims to the ''dtvour-
ing food" and scores were made prison
crs by the ''more devouring" boys.
Some lovers of sport were cut in boats
shooting rail, which were found in great
abundance Several hundreds were kill
cd--they were fat and excellent eating ]
was out in boat with Mr. R--ph,
formerly Of Elkton, but now of the far
west, and what with The rushing of the
waters, the diving of muskrats, the CHR
riping Of rail, the bang bang of guns, and
his unceasing antlc mannuvres, ard COM
ic expressions, passed day of excellent
sport, and rare excitement and mirth.-
Judging from his power over language,
should think his organs of articulation
would fit him for cosmopolite, and !
have no doubt but the poor rail thought
all nations were allied against them, and
that had a crew of Dutch, French, Irish,
aye! and negroes, so multi(arious were
his vociTerations.
RAIL are singular birls-but few per-
sons are acquainted with their natural his
tory. There are several varieties ofthem,
differing slightly in color, size, shape Of
bcak, SC. As they are never seen to come
or 60, and as the marshes are often filled
with them, in one night or vacated by
them in another night on the approach of
frost, it is the vulgar notion that they
come up out of the mud, and retire thith-
er again, when the weather becomes cold.
But this, like many other popular notions
is as unfounded as it is unreasonable. e.
The RAIL is nocturnal bird-its eyes
are fitted for seeing in the dark-it feeds
in the night, and in the darkness beneath
the thick covering Of grass on the marshes
its food being the insects that abounc
there. and the seeds Of wild oats and 9TH
er grasses; and i'migrates in The night
When they arc scared up i'll the day time