400 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



time, at least, periodically frequent our marshes. It is 

 true tlie nest and eggs of tlie little crake liave never been 

 identified in Norfolk, nor, until the summer of 1866, was 

 there any record of those of Baillon's crake having been 

 taken, yet in the very same locality (Heigham Sounds), 

 where eggs presumed to be of the latter were discovered 

 by the merest accident, both species have been observed in 

 spring ; and both, in all probability, occasionally remain 

 with us to breed. It should, moreover, be remarked that 

 with one exception (the locality of which is unknown) the 

 specimens here recorded, though procured within the 

 bounds of the " Broad " district, were nearly all found 

 in the vicinity of the smaller broads, or on the " ronds" 

 bordering upon the Bure and the Yare; where it is 

 obvious the chances of flusliing them would be infinitely 

 greater than amidst the interminable tracts of reeds 

 which characterise our larger waters. f The three 

 examples killed in March were evidently met with on 

 their first arrival, and might or might not have con- 

 tinued their journey northwards, while the one in April 

 and the two in May would most probably ha.ve remained 

 to breed. Again the one killed in August had possibly 

 passed the summer with us ; and Mr. Harting's bird, in 

 October, may have visited us on its passage southwards. 

 Both in the little crake and in Baillon's the sexes 

 are alike in their adult dress, the immature birds 

 having the under parts of the plumage of a light 

 brownish tint in place of the blue-grey, which they 

 afterwards acquire. In describing, also, the chief 

 points of difference, at any age, between these two 

 species, of which Baillon's is decidedly the smallest, 

 Mr. Harting accurately remarks {" Zoologist," 1867, 



years, 1827 and 1828, and a third only two years later, in 1830. 

 A more numerous arrival than usual of this species also appears 

 to be indicated by the four specimens obtained in 1833, as recorded 

 by Mr. J. Clarke. 



f The same remarks apply equally to the next species described. 



