320 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Ireland, and the south of Scotland. Our race inhabits Europe, 

 western Asia, and north Africa. 



The presence of the Water-Rail is often unsuspected by 

 those who are unfamiliar with its habits, do not know its voice, 

 and fear to wet their feet. It is a bird of the marsh, hiding 

 effectively from view in dense aquatic vegetation. Its laterally 

 compressed body, for it has a remarkably narrow sternum, 

 enables it to slip between closely set stiff reeds which would 

 hold up a Moorhen. From other rails it can be recognised by 

 its long, slightly decurved, red bill, and by the black and white 

 transverse streaks on its flanks. These streaks aid concealment 

 when the suspicious bird stands motionless in vegetation ; in- 

 stinctive " freezing " is common. Anxious and nervous, it 

 hesitates to take wing, but if surprised flies heavily with its long 

 legs limply dangling. That it can fly fast and for long distances 

 is proved by its death against lighthouse glass, and the loss of 

 a wing or other injury when, during nocturnal migration, it has 

 struck a wire. Its gait is graceful ; it lifts its long, wide- 

 spreading toes, useful when tramping a quaking bog, with 

 delicate, cautious deliberation. When unaware of human 

 presence it holds its head up, and elevates its tail, frequently 

 jerking it like a Moorhen, exposing the yellow and white under 

 tail-coverts ; but if alarmed the head and tail are depressed, and 

 with a swift run the bird vanishes into cover. It swims well, 

 swimming in preference to flying over water. Its calls are 

 varied ; one is half groan, half squeal, and another, tdiif^ tchuf, 

 has a contented tone, and is rather deliberately repeated. But 

 the most noticeable sound is a loud explosive yell, like the cry 

 of an animal in mortal agony ; this it will utter when startled 

 by any sudden sound, and also, apparently, for the pleasure of 

 making a noise. When I was at one nest I was startled by an 

 awful groaning scream apparently at my feet, but it was some 

 time before I put the bird up. Miss E. L. Turner heard both 

 male and female utter a curious purring note when they were 



