i8o OUR RARER BIRDS 



them ; the nest is generally too well concealed amongst the 

 herbage for them to need such further protection when the 

 sitting-bird is absent. The young chicks, pretty little crea- 

 tures almost as black as jet, take to the water soon after they 

 are hatched. It is a very charming sight to see a brood of 

 these young Water-Eails swimming about the quiet pool, in 

 and out amongst the reed stems, or running over the broad 

 flat leaves of the candocks and water-lilies. The voracious 

 pike often makes a meal of the entire brood, and they have 

 many perils to undergo ere they reach maturity. 



The Spotted Crake {Crex jporzctna) is nmch more locally 

 distributed than the Water- Eail and is far less common. 

 Nevertheless, as it breeds in this country it claims a place in 

 the ranks of our rarer birds. It is readily distinguished by 

 its white-spotted upper plumage. In all its habits, the haunts 

 it frequents, the food on which it lives, its note, its flight, and 

 the materials and situation of the nest, the Spotted Crake 

 resembles its ally the Water-Eail. Its eggs, however, are very 

 different, and present characteristics which readily separate 

 them from those of all other British species. The spots upon 

 them are large, dark, and very distinctly defined, and the 

 inside of the shell when held up to the light presents a strong 

 greenish tinge. Many Spotted Crakes leave this country in 

 autumn, or simply cross our islands at the two seasons of 

 migration ; but a few, probably the birds that breed with us, 

 remain in their old haunts throughout the winter. 



Baillon's Crake {Grex hailloni) is a rarer and more local 

 species still, but it may be much overlooked owing to its 

 skulking habits. It closely resembles the Spotted Crake in 

 appearance, but is, of course, easily distinguished by its small 

 size. Its habits are very similar to those of the preceding 

 species ; it loves to frequent the little pools of still water 

 which are densely fringed with rushes, flags, and aquatic 

 vegetation of all kinds. Small as it is, it swims lightly and 



