QUAIL AND WATER RAIL 85 



Site of Nest. — In a depression of the ground, among grass, clover, 

 corn, etc. ; sometimes under cover of a hedgerow. 



Materials Used. — Perhaps a few dead leaves and other materials, 

 but practically none at all. 



Eggs. — Seven to Ten, or more. Cream-coloured, clouded and 

 mottled either with red-brown or spotted with dark brown. 



Food. — Weed seeds, grain, buds, green leaves, etc.; the young are 

 fed on small larvae, including ants. 



Voice. — The shrill, piping note is compared to the words " wet-my- 

 lips." It is often repeated with just a little variation. 



Chief Features. — A rare British bird to-day, although at one time 

 quite numerous. It is a Summer Migrant, arriving early in 

 May from Northern Africa. It keeps very much to the ground. 



Plumage. — Black and reddish-brown on head, with three parallel, 

 longitudinal streaks of a yellowish colour; ash-brown, with 

 variegations of black and straw-colour, above; reddish-yellow 

 neck, with a dusky-brown crescent of a double character; pale 

 reddish-brown breast, with streaks of white; yellowish-brown 

 bill and feet. The female is not so dark as her mate, and the 

 double crescent on the neck is lacking. Length. — Eight inches. 



RAIL, WATER (Radius aquaticus) 



Local Names. — Bilcock, Brook Ouzel, Brook-Runner, Grey-Skit, 

 Runner, Shilty Cock, Skiddy Cock, Velvet Runner, War Cock. 



Haunt. — Reed patches, and among other aquatic herbage, such as 

 marshes and osier plantations. 



Nesting Period. — April to July. 



Site of Nest. — On the ground in marshy situations. 



Materials Used. — Dead aquatic herbage. 



Eggs. — Six to Ten. They much resemble a small example of the 

 Corncrake, but paler. The spots also are fewer and fainter. 



Food. — Frogs and tadpoles, spawn and fry of fish, and aquatic insects. 



Voice. — Hett gives the calls and cries as: Call, a shrill " crrrick," 

 " cro-o-o-an " (called " sharming " in Norfolk), or a soft and 

 clear " whit," heard after dusk; when near nest, " boh." 



Chief Features. — A shy, skulking bird, probably often overlooked. 

 Moves rapidly, but has a laboured and not long-sustained flight. 



Plumage. — Red bill; olive-brown hind neck and upper parts, the 

 centre of each feather streaked with black; grey cheeks, neck, 

 and breast; blackish flanks, with bars of white; brownish 

 flesh-coloured legs and feet. The female is not so conspicuous 

 in colouring as the male, and the wing-coverts are sometimes 

 barred with white. Length. — Eleven inches and a half. 



