74 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



SPOTTED CRAKE {Porzanamaruetta). 



March to October. A regular visitor, but very 

 local and uncommon. Breeds in many suitable localities. 



Haunts. — Marshy and swampy places. 



Observation. — Distinguish from Landrail by smaller 

 size and generally flecked appearance. 



Plumage. — Upper parts olive-brown with dark centres, 

 and flecked all over with small w^hite spots. Crown 

 of head dark brown. Eye-stripes and face grey. Breast 

 brown, with white spots. Belly greyish white ; flanks 

 barred with brown and white. Bill yellowish. Legs 

 and feet yellowish green. Length 9 in. Female rather 

 smaller and duller. Young, throat white and spottings 

 less distinct. Nestling covered with lustrous greenish- 

 black down. 



Language. — A loud " kweet " or " whuit." 



Habits. — Generally much like the Landrail, being 

 most secretive and loth to fly unless positively obliged. 

 The nest is frequently so placed that the parents must 

 swim to it. 



Food. — Much like the Landrail. 



Nest. — May or June. One brood. 



Site. — On boggy ground, in reed-bed or tuft of rushes. 



Materials. — Sedges, flags, and the like ; lined with 

 fine grass. 



Eggs. — Eight to ten. Olive-buff, spotted and speckled 

 with dark reddish brown, and ash-grey under-mar kings. 



LITTLE CRAKE {Porzana parva). 



A rare visitor, chiefly to the East Coast, in spring and 

 autumn. Several examples have been reported from 



