463 

 THE LITTLE CRAKE. 



CREX PUSILLA. 



Head brown ; upper plumage olive-ash, the feathers black in the centre ; middle 

 of the back black, sprinlcled with white ; throat, face, and breast, bluish grey, 

 without spots ; abdomen and flanks indistinctly barred with white and brown : 

 wings without spots, reaching to the extremity of the tail ; bill green, reddish 

 at the base ; irides red ; feet green. Length seven and a half inches. Eggs 

 yellowish, spotted with olive-brown. 



This species appears to be generally diffused throughout 

 the eastern and southern countries of Europe, but is very- 

 rare in England. It is a shy bird, like the last species, 

 confining itself exclusively to reedy marshes, and building 

 its nest close to the water's edge. It lays seven or eight 

 eggs. 



BAILLON'S CRAELE. 



CREX BAILLONII. 



Upper plumage reddish olive ; head streaked with black ; back spotted with 

 white set in black ; under plumage bluish grey in front, barred behind with 

 white and black ; wings spotted, reaching half-way down the tail ; bill green ; 

 irides reddish ; feet flesh-colour. Length seven inches. Eggs light olive-brown, 

 spotted with darker brown. 



Another rare species, resembling the Spotted Crake in 

 habits. It is said to be not uncommon in the marshy 

 districts of France, but it is not frequently met with, 

 owing to its retired habits. Nest and eggs like the last. 



THE WATER RAIL. 



RALLUS AQUATICUS. 



Upper feathers reddish brown, with black centres ; under plumage in front 

 lead-colour, behind and on the flanks barred with black and white ; bill red, 

 tinged with red above and at the tip ; irides red ; feet flesh-colour. Length 

 eleven and a half inches. Eggs yellowish, spotted with ash-grey and red-brown 



The Water Rail is a generally diffused bird, but nowhere 

 very common, haunting bushy and reedy places near the 

 banks of rivers and lakes, where it feeds on aquatic insects, 



