7 2 THE BIRDS OF DORSET. 



until it was shot in the following April near Penrith ; 

 but this, after all, might be an exceptional case. I 

 have notes of one shot near Weymouth, November 

 5, 1852, and another near Wareham in September 

 1868. The late Mr. Thompson sent one alive to the 

 Zoological Society's Gardens in the Regent's Park, 

 which had been caught in a garden at E-adipole. His 

 son shot one at Lodmoor, near Weymouth, September 

 28, 1872 ; and one obtained in the neighbourhood of 

 Blandford is in the collection of the Rev. J. Penny, 

 Rector of Tarrant Rushton. 



LITTLE CRAKE. Porzana jparva, (Scopoli). 



Yarrell, iii. p. 148; Dresser, vii. p. 283; Ibis List, p. 148; 

 Crex pusilla, Harting, p. 58 ; Crex parva, Seehohm, ii. 

 P- 547- 



Two specimens of the Little Crake were shot in 

 the neighbourhood of Alderholt Park (G. Churchill), 

 and, so far as I am aware, this is the only instance 

 known of its occurrence in this county. 



WATEE-EAIL. Rallus aquaticus, L. 



Yarrell, iii. p. 159; Harting, p. 57; Dresser, vii. p, 257; 

 Seehohm, ii. p. 552; Ihis List, p. 146; Pulteney's List, 

 P- 15- 



The Water-Rail is resident, and not unfrequent in 

 suitable places. It often escapes observation owing 

 to its extreme shyness and skulking habits, never 

 making use of its wings unless closely pressed. I 

 have notes of its occurrence at Kimmeridge, Bere 

 Regis, and Lodmoor, near Weymouth. 



