I40 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



her colours are not as bright as his. Length of male, 

 81 inches. 



Migratory in its habits, the corn crake arrives in Britain 

 in April, and departs in October. It is usually found in 

 pastures and corntields, and is more frequently heard than 

 seen, for it is extremely active on its feet, and is with 

 difficulty made to take wing. 



The nest is merely a slight depression in the ground, 

 lined with bits of the surrounding vegetation. The eggs 

 vary considerably', both in size and colouring, but are 

 generally of a dull cream coloui-, more or less spotted 

 witli grey and red. 



The female is very like the male, but perliaps a little 

 smaller. 



The young run about soon after being hatched, and at 

 first are covered with dark down, but grow quickly, and 

 in about six weeks are full grown and able to il}-. There 

 are usually two broods during the season. 



The corn crake is susceptible of domestication, but re- 

 quires to be protected from extreme cold. 



It has been asserted that these bird.s occasionally hiber- 

 nate, but the statement lacks modern confirmation. 



Moorhen. — In this species, the first third of the bill 

 is yellow, and the remainder, with a bare place extending 

 along the top of the head to nearly above the eye, orange ; 

 the eye is reddish orange ; head and back black, with 

 a bluish green gloss ; wings brownish black ; under parts 

 dark bluish grey, barred across on the belly with clear 

 grey ; under tail coverts white ; legs and feet dark green ; 

 just above the knee is a small orange spot. Length, 

 1 foot 2 inches for the male ; 1 foot 1 inch for the 

 female. 



These birds are resident throughout the year, and may 

 be met with wherever there is a pond, large or small. 



