FlJLlCAPd.E. 



LAND RAIL, 



fS^lw,-- 



137 

 RA LLID.^. 



Crex pratensis, Bechstein.* 

 THE LAND RAIL, 



OR CORN CRAKE. 



Crex pratensis. 



Crex, Beclistehif. — Bill shorter than the head, thick at the base, subcul- 

 trated, compressed ; the culmen gradually deflecting from the forehead to the 

 point of the bill ; lateral furrow of the upper mandible broad, and occupying 

 more than half its length ; angle of the under mandible bending upwards; both 

 mandibles of an equal length. Nostrils concave, lateral, linear, ovoid, pierced 

 in a membrane occupying the mandibular furrow in the middle of the bill. 

 Wings armed with a spine, and having the second and third quill-feather the 

 longest. Legs strong, of moderate length, with the lower part of the tibiiie 

 naked. Feet four-toed, three before, one behind. Toes long, slender, and cleft 

 to their base, without any latersil membrane ; hind toe resting almost wholly on 

 the ground. Claws arcuate, compressed, and sharp-pointed. 



The Land Rail is a summer visitor to this country, 

 generally making its appearance in the southern counties 



* Ornithologisches Taschenbuch, ii. p. 337 (1803). 

 t torn. cit. p. 336. 

 VOL. III. T 



