Howell, T.R. 1946 Rallus longirostris obsoletus Nov. 3 Bay Farm Island, Alameda Co., Calif. After the tide goes out, the rails come out of the marsh grass and probe around in black, semi-liquid mud. If necessary they swim across stretches of water a couple of feet or so in width. If probing is successful, the rail comes up holding a clam or snail or mollusc of some sort in the end of its bill, and then hurries back into the marsh grass with it.