326 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Others of its kind it shows itself but little. Its general form 

 suggests a game-bird ; indeed, it is often called the " Grass- 

 Quail," and was included in the game list by the Act of i860. 

 It is nominally protected by the Wild Bird Acts in England, 

 but in Ireland maybe shot from September 20th to January loth, 

 when, except for a few weeks, there is little chance of seeing it. 

 Indeed, most leave during October, though a few remain all 

 winter ; instances of wintering, though occasionally recorded 

 from the south, are more frequent in western counties, Ireland, 

 and the Scottish islands. The Corncrake is a slender, brown, 

 short-billed bird with barred flanks and rich chestnut wings, 

 very noticeable in flight. Though really nocturnal in habits, the 

 males in spring are so obsessed by nuptial instincts that they 

 call day and night. If startled they will at times take wing, and 

 occasionally fly from field to field, though apparently with 

 labour, the wings moving rapidly and the legs dangling loosely. 

 In long-distance flights, however, the legs are trailed, though I 

 have handled wired birds in which both thighs were smashed. 

 There is a widespread popular notion that the bird cannot fly 

 far, and must either hide all winter or hibernate ; as a matter 

 of fact it can fly fast and at an altitude, and is a long-distance 

 traveller. Not only is it known as a winter visitor to South 

 Africa, but it selects a long rather than a short Channel cross- 

 ing ; it has been met with in Greenland, eastern Canada, Ber- 

 muda, and even in Australia. It is, however, fair to state that, 

 like other rails, it can swim, and thus could rest on water. 



The Corncrake walks with the head rather low and the neck 

 drawn in, lifting its feet high like other rails (Plate 141), but it 

 is a cautious, suspicious bird, and at the least sound cranes its 

 neck for a better view, before running for cover. At times, 

 like the Water-Rail, it stands still when anxious, allowing a 

 near approach before it darts for shelter, and if captured will, 

 at any rate occasionally, simulate death, hanging limply with 

 closed eyes, but recovering instantly if opportunity of escape 



