494 LAND-RAIL. 



and Madeira, while in the southern countries of Europe it is a bird 

 of regular passage in spring and again in autumn ; not nesting, I 

 believe, below the line of the Pyrenees, but continuing its course to 

 the central and northern districts, or even the Arctic circle. In 

 Asia it is found as far east as the Lena, though not recorded from 

 China or Japan ; and it probably inhabits the high lands of Afghan- 

 istan and Persia during the summer, inasmuch as it breeds in 

 Western Turkestan. Its principal winter-quarters are in Africa, 

 where it is found down to Natal, and occasionally in Cape Colony. 



The nest, composed of dry plants and grasses, is generally among 

 long meadow-grass, where it is often discovered at mowing-time ; but 

 it is not unfrequently in standing corn, and thus escapes notice until 

 the brood is safe. The eggs, y-'io in number, are usually laid 

 towards the end of May or early in June, and are pale reddish-white, 

 spotted with grey and rufous-brown : average measurements i "45 

 by 1*1 in. The 'creaking' call-note uttered by the male — especially 

 towards evening — may easily be imitated by passing the edge of the 

 thumb-nail across the teeth of a comb, and by this means the bird 

 may be lured to within a short distance : the ventriloquial powers 

 attributed to this species are, in my opinion, due to the marvel- 

 lous rapidity with which it sneaks, unperceived, from one spot 

 to another. It does not take wing readily, and flies slowly, with 

 its legs hanging down ; while, if closely pressed, especially if 

 wounded, it will elude even a dog by climbing among tangled 

 bushes, and when captured it will not unfrequently feign death : a 

 device common to other members of the family. The food consists 

 of worms, slugs, insects, small lizards, plants, seeds &c. ; the flesh 

 is highly esteemed for the table. 



The adult male has ash-grey patches above each eye and on the 

 cheeks ; feathers of the upper parts yellowish-brown with dark 

 centres ; wing-coverts and quills chestnut ; throat white ; breast 

 greyish-buff; belly nearly white in the centre, the flanks broadly 

 barred with cinnamon-brown and buff; bill, legs and feet pale 

 brown. Length 11 in.; wing 5*2 in. Females are rather smaller, 

 and, like the young of the year, have the grey on the head and the 

 chestnut on the wings less pronounced. The nestlings, which are 

 at first covered with black down, are able to fly in about six weeks. 

 The usual weight of an adult is about 6 ozs., but a bird of nearly 

 9 ozs. is on record. Albinoes and other varieties are sometimes 

 met with. 



