527 



CREX PRATENSIS. THE CORN CRAKE 



LAND RAIL. LAND-HEN. DAKER-HEN. CORN CRAKER. DREAUN. 



Fig. 48. 



Rallus Crex. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. 261. 



Gallinula Crex. Lath. Ind. Om. II. 766. 



Crake Gallinule. Mont. Orn. Diet. 



Poule-d'eau de Genet. Gallinula Crex. Temm. Man. d'Orn. II. 686. 



Ortygometra Crex. Corn Crake. Flem. Brit. Anim. 98. 



Meadow or Corn Crake. Crex pratensis. Selb. Illustr. II. 176. 



Crex pratensis. Corn Crake. Jen. Brit. Vert. An. 217. 



Crex pratensis. Bonap. Comp. List, 53. 



Plumage of the upper parts dull yellowish-red, streaked 

 with brownish-black; wing-coverts light red ; sides of the head 

 grey ; lower parts pede reddish; lower tving-coverts, axillaries, 

 and sides, light red, barred with white. 



Male. — The Corn Crake, which although it rarely comes 

 under the observation of unprofessional admirers of nature, is 

 yet familiarly known by its cry, insomuch that to most people 

 it is vox et prceterea nihil, claims our especial regard, as of all 

 the species of the genus which visit us, it is the most easily 

 studied. Its body is much compressed ; the neck rather long 

 and slender; the head small and compressed. The bill is 

 direct, shortish, compressed, and in all respects as described 



