2 24 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS 



(Zool, 1893, p. 459). It has only once been ob- 

 tained in Scotland, and twice in Ireland, namely, 

 near Youghal and in Tramore Bay, both in Co. Cork. 

 Weight, 2 oz. ; expanse of wing, lOh in. 



LITTLE CRAKE. Crex pusilla (Gmelin). PI. 26, fig. 5. 

 Length, 8 in. ; bill, 0-5 in. ; wing, 4 in. ; tarsus, 

 1-2 in. 



Has been noticed sufficiently often in England 

 to justify its being placed in this part of the " Hand- 

 book." The seasons of the year at which it has 

 been killed seem to indicate that it is a spring and 

 autumn migrant. On the other hand, it may be a 

 scarce resident, whose small size and skulking habits 

 cause it to be often overlooked. I have only once 

 met with this bird in England. On the 25th Oct. 

 1867 I flushed one on a marsh adjoining the river 

 Bure, about five miles from Yarmouth, but having 

 just discharged both barrels at a snipe, was unable 

 to secure it. The bird rose so close to me that I 

 could mark the absence of white on the dorsal plum- 

 age, and from this and its small size I felt pretty 

 sure as to the species. It dropped in the water 

 amongst thick reeds, and, in spite of the exertions 

 of my dog, eluded all attempts to make it rise again. 



In the adult plumage the Little Crake resembles 

 a miniature Land-Rail ; Baillon's Crake a miniature 

 Spotted Crake. Both have the typical beak of a Crake 

 — Crex of Bechstein, 1803 ; Porzana of Vieillot, 

 1816. For distinguishing characters of the two 

 species see Zool., 1867, p. 974. The measurements 



