2o8 CORN-CRAKE. 



" crake " that sometimes seems to shake the ground when heard 

 from the meadows, or corn-fields, towards the end of April, is yet 

 one of the pleasant sounds of spring. The note is believed to be 

 uttered by the male bird alone, in search of his mate. He seems 

 restless, and ever on the alert through the long night, until he has 

 found her, being thus the earliest bird ; 



The Corn-Crake's call 

 In mist-veiled meeds awakes the nestling Lark. 



Grahame — British Georgics. 



The rivalry of the birds is often excited to their destruction, 

 by imitating the " crake " by rubbing together the notched edges 

 of dry rib-bones, or even by drawing the thumb-nail, or a stick, 

 sharply along the teeth of a comb. The gun is held ready, and as 

 the angry bird crosses a track mown in the grass, it is easily shot. 



The Corn-Crake is very generally spread throughout Hereford- 

 shire, and nests are annually mown out in cutting the grass. In 

 September they are generally found on the barley-stubbles, or seed- 

 clover ; but during the last few cold seasons, seldom more than a 

 single bird, or at most a brace, is added to the bag after a long 

 day's shooting. 



The food of the Corn-Crake consists of slugs, snails, seeds or 

 corn, and green herbage. The bird is highly valued for the table. 

 "Railes of the land deserve to be placed next the Partridge, for their 

 flesh is as good as their feeding is good, and they are not without 

 cause preferred to Noblemen's Tables," says Dr. Thos. Muffett, in 

 the reign of Queen Elizabeth. And Drayton also speaks of 



The Rayle, that seldom comes but upon rich men's spits ! 



— Polyolhion — Cant XXV. 



The Land-Rail is difficult to flush, and flies so heavily that 

 it is not easy to understand how it can accomplish its long migratory 

 flight. Grahame, in his truthful description says : — 



Behold the Corn-Craik ; she too wings her way 



To other lands 



Though weak her wing contrasted with her bulk. 

 Seldom she rises from the grassy field 

 And never till compelled ; and when upraised, 

 With feet suspended awkw^ardly she flies. 



—Birds of Scotland. 



