CAPEBGAILLIE 277 



tale of hens, whereupon breeding begins. The nest is a slight hol- 

 low scratched in the ground under a bush, and the eggs are six to 

 twelve in number. They are pale reddish yellow in ground-colour, 

 spotted and blotched with brown. 



The male does not assume the mature plumage until the third 

 year. 



Water- Rail. 



Rallus aquaticus. 



Bill red ; crown, hind neck, and upper parts olive-brown, a 

 black streak in the centre of each feather; cheeks, neck, and 

 breast grey; flanks blackish, barred with white; legs and feet 

 brownish flesh-colour. Length, eleven inches and a half. Female : 

 duller in colour, the wing-coverts sometimes barred with white. 



The water-rail inhabits fens, marshes, and watercourses, moving 

 rapidly in the rank vegetation, swimming and diving with ease, 

 flying only when compelled, and rising heavily, with fluttering 

 wings and dangling legs, and after a short flight dropping again 

 into cover. Its shy, skulking habits make it appear a very rare 

 bird, but it is foimd, although in small numbers, in most suitable 

 locahties in Great Britain and Ireland. Although it is met with 

 throughout the year in this country, it is believed to be migratory, 

 the birds that breed with us moving southwards in winter, when 

 their places are taken by migrants arriving from more northern 

 regions. 



The nest is made of reed-leaves, and is placed among coarse 

 herbage or in a tussock of sedge. Seven to eleven eggs are laid, in 

 coloinr pale creamy white, thinly flecked with reddish brown and 

 grey. The nestlings are covered with black down. During the 

 pairing and breeding time the rails are loquacious, frequently 

 uttering their loud peculiar cry. 



Three other rails (genus Porzana) occur in the British Islands, 

 one a regular visitant. They inhabit marshes, but in form are 

 more like the corncrake than the water-rail. 



Spotted crake {Porzana ma/ruetta). — A summer visitor, breeding 

 sparingly in different parts of Great Britain. On account of its 

 skulking habits and small size it is rarely seen. It lays eight to 

 ten eggs, olive-buff in ground-colour, spotted with dark reddish 



