MOOR-HEN. 209 



Notwithstanding all this, the Corn-Crake manages 10 reach the 



coasts of Africa, and even penetrate to its centre. As was noticed in 



speaking of the Water-Rail, a strong wind seems essential to its 



flight. 



His torpid wing the Rail exulting tries, 

 Mounts the soft gale, and wantons iu the skies. 



DxRVf IS— Loves of Plants. 



Like many other birds the Corn-Crake will very cunningly put 

 on the semblance of death, when exposed to danger from which it 

 is unable to escape ; several instances are recorded by Yarrell, 

 and other writers. 



Burns could not fail to notice the loud evening " crake " of 

 the Land-Rail : 



Mourn clam'ring Craiks, at close of day 

 'Mang fields of flowering clover gay 



—JSlegy. 



Genus— GALLTNULA. 

 GALLINULA CHLOROPUS— Moor-hen. 



To lurk the lake beside 

 Where Coots in rushy dingles hide 

 And Moor-cocks shun the day. 



Shenstone. 



This well-known bird is very abundant throughout the county. 

 It is to be found on all ponds, pools, or watercourses, where there 

 are plenty of reeds, rushes, flags, or other plants to give it shelter. 

 It is a very lively, active bird, very amusing to watch, and is thus 

 very ornamental. On moats or ponds close to the house or farm- 

 yard, it soon becomes tame and sociable, feeds with the poultry and 

 seems half domesticated. It swims very well, with a nodding 

 motion of the head, as it turns quickly from side to side to 

 catch an insect, or feed on a water-plant. It likes to graze on the 

 adjoining grass, and flirts its tail oddly as it walks along. 



The Moor-hen is very prolific, and when undisturbed will 

 bring off three broods in the course of the summer. In the winter 

 when the ponds are frozen over, it takes refuge in plantations, thick 



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