526 CREX. CRAKE. 



than the second, which is slightly longer than the third, the 

 fifth about the length of the first. Tail extremely short, 

 arched, much rounded, of twelve very weak, narrow, rounded 

 feathers. 



The Crakes inhabit meadows, corn-fields, marshes, and 

 in general places covered with a rank growth of gramineae 

 and cyperacese, among which they conceal themselves. They 

 run with great speed, but seldom rise on wing, unless closely 

 pursued, when they fly off in a heavy manner, with their legs 

 dangling. Their food consists of worms, mollusca, insects, 

 and seeds. Most of them swim and dive with ease, but some, 

 and especially our common species, confine themselves to dry 

 places. 



They nestle on the ground, forming a shallow cavity, in a 

 place overshadowed by herbage. The nest is large, and rudely 

 constructed. The eggs are numerous, oval, light coloured, 

 dotted, spotted, or freckled with darker. 



Four species occur in Britain, but of these three are very 

 rarely met with, while the other, the Corn Crake, is generally 

 distributed and familiarly known. 



