164 RALLIDA 
tory.’ In Ireland, where the seasons are generally less severe 
than in England or Scotland, there have been numbers of 
records of Corn-Crakes taken in winter, but according to 
Mr. Ussher, though birds have been obtained in November, 
December, January, and February, there is nothing to show 
that any have remained until March. It is also quite true 
that these few stragglers, or winter Corn-Crakes, are gene- 
rally discovered ensconced in holes in walls or banks. ‘They 
are not hibernating in the true physiological sense, but being 
accustomed to more southern climes in winter, are simply 
Fic. 19. -CORN-CRAKE. 
seeking what warmth and shelter they can obtain ; indeed 
they are often found to be shghtly injured by shot,’ or in a 
debilitated condition, and so unable to undertake a journey 
across the sea. 
In the Outer Hebrides there have been several instances 
of these birds remaining throughout the winter, and one 
was recorded at the unusual date of March 3rd, 1902 
(Harvie- Brown, ‘ Avifauna of the Outer Hebrides’). 
Flight.—One must not suppose that the Corn-Crake is 
weak on the wing, because, when flushed by a dog out of the 
! Sportsmen sometimes make the mistake of stating that they often 
shoot Corn-Crakes in winter and can obtain one any winter. I have 
frequently acceded to their kind offers and have duly received, just as 
I expected, specimens of Water-Rails. 
> For instance, Mr. W. J. Williams records a specimen obtained from 
co. Armagh, on February 2nd, 1906, in which the wing had been pre- 
viously broken, but the bone had united ( ‘ Irish Naturalist,’ 1906, p. 112). 
