CRAKES 22 1 



the habit of receiving annually a great number of 

 the eggs for sale to collectors. 



In Scotland and the Isles it is generally distri- 

 buted, and is found even in Shetland. The Migra- 

 tion Reports supply numerous instances of the 

 appearance of the Water-Rail at remote and isolated 

 lighthouses and lightships, thus proving its migra- 

 tory habits. 



In Ireland it is considered to be a resident, breed- 

 ing in every county. It is generally to be found in 

 the haunts of snipe, and is more often met with by 

 snipe-shooters than by any other class of observers. 

 Its skulking habits give much trouble before it can 

 be made to take wing, and the remarkably narrow 

 form of the sternum and easily compressible ribs 

 enable it to run with ease through the thickest 

 herbage, a notable illustration of the correlation of 

 structure with habits. 



Its weight varies from 5 oz. to 6 oz., or little 

 more than that of a Snipe. 



LAND-RAIL or CORNCRAKE. Crex ^ pratensis, Bech- 

 stein. PL 26, figs. 6, 7, 8. Length, 10 in. ; bill, 0-75 

 in.; wing, 5'5 in.; tarsus, 1'75 in. 



A summer migrant. Many instances, however, 

 are on record of its having been met with in Eng- 

 land and Ireland during the winter months. These 

 may be individuals of late broods unprepared to 

 leave at the proper time, or wounded birds unable to 



1 Genus Crex, Bechstein, " Naturg. Deutschl.," iv. p. 470 (1803) ; 

 Porzana, Vieillot, "Analyse," p. 61 (1816). 



