CORN CRAKE. 529 



the edge of lower mandible lyV ; tarsus 1^ ; first toe y\-, its 

 claw -fe ; second toe 1-^, its claw -f^ ; third toe 1-fe, its claw 

 f\ ; fourth toe lfV, its claw -j^. 



Female. — The female is similar to the male. 

 Length to end of tail 10^ ; extent of wings 17J. 



Variations. — I have not observed any remarkable varia- 

 tions. 



Change of Plumage. — The Corn Crake arrives in this 

 country with its plumage complete, and does not moult before 

 leaving it. 



Habits. — Having made this interesting bird a special 

 object of study, I hope to be able to present a correct account 

 of its habits. Let us imagine ourselves strolling over those 

 flowery pastures that skirt the sandy shores of the tlebrides, 

 anticipating the rising of the sun, and listening, as we proceed 

 in the grey twilight, to the cries of the distant gulls, and the 

 loud crash of the little wavelet, whose fall on the sandy beach 

 produces, it seems, a louder noise in the perfect calm than 

 the rushing of the mighty billow would do in a storm. The 

 bleating cry of the Snipe is heard on the hill-side, and already 

 has the Lark sprung from its sandy couch to warble its merry 

 notes over the corn-field. Here let us crouch behind the 

 turf-wall, in view of that thicket of iris, and watch the Crakes, 

 which I have often seen resort to it. There already, dimly 

 seen, one is quietly walking along the grassy ridge, lifting high 

 foot after foot, and sometimes stooping as if to pick up some- 

 thing. Now it stops, stands in a crouching posture, but on 

 unbent legs, and commences its curious but monotonous song. 

 Another is observed threading its way among the short grass 

 of the adjoining piece of meadow-land. The ruddy streaks 

 in the east betoken the sun's approach to the horizon. 

 There along tidemark some dark-coloured bird approaches ; it 

 perceives us, wheels round, and comes up, announcing itself 

 by its croak as the Hooded Crow. The Crakes seem to 

 understand the warning, and immediately betake themselves 



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