406 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 
Again on the Ist of May, 1863, I was shown three 
young water-rails in their black down, which had 
been found in the same locality (one of our smallest 
broads) as the eggs of the previous year. From the 
early date at which these youngsters were hatched, and 
the eggs at Diss being taken in June, I presume that 
this species has, at least, two broods in the year; and 
that it breeds early is proved by the fact that a nest 
found by Mr. J. E. Harting in Sussex,* in 1868, con- 
tained seven eggs on the 11th of April, whilst in other 
instances he has met with them only in June and July. 
I saw a nest of this rail on the 17th of May, 1867, 
amongst some thick reeds on Hast Walton Common, 
near Westacre, but no eges had been laid. From Mr. 
A. Hamond, jun., however, I learn that some have been 
taken in other seasons from this spot. 
Mr. Lubbock, in his “ Fauna,” thus alludes to “ the 
peculiar and explosive cry,” as he terms it, of the water- 
rail during the breeding season. ‘ Some years back a 
youth, the son of the ferry keeper, at Surlingham, told me 
he knew of a rail’s nest. We went towards the Broad 
together to inspect it. As we walked forward, I once 
or twice heard a noise, the cry of some bird unknown to 
me; and on questioning my guide, he answered at 
once, ‘It is the rail crying out.’ It was so loud and 
singular a note that I doubted so small a bird having 
such power of clamour; but on creeping up gently 
behind some alders, I could see the rails at intervals as 
they played about in the vicinity, and satisfied myself 
* This nest was found in the parish of Harting, in Sussex, in 
an old moat, which three hundred years ago surrounded the house 
of Sir Anthony Windesor. It is now nearly dry and much over- 
grown with willow, sedge, and coarse herbage. The nest was 
placed at the foot of a willow clump, neatly composed of dried flags 
without any lining, and almost concealed by the overhanging flags 
by which it was surrounded. 
