268 



CORN CRAKE. 



the bird by winding and unwinding the reel on his 

 fishing rod. It^seems to be the male bird which utters 

 the call. 



Its food consists of worms, slugs and snails, 

 beetles, insects, various seeds and young grass shoots. 

 The Corn Crake threads its way with w^onderful 



CORN CRAKE. 



quickness and dexterity through the long grass and 

 in and out of the bottoms of tangled hedgerows ; if 

 you attempt to track it down by following its cry as 

 it hurries away or doubles back to escape you, you 

 will but find yourself engaged in a fruitless chase. 

 It is a very cunning bird, and if captured will fre- 

 quently resort to some trick or other to effect its 



