196 WATER RAIL. 



worms, snails, and insects. They form their nests on th 

 ground. 



Land Rail, or Corn Crake. In those parts of the coun- 

 try where Land Rails are even very abundant, the singu- 

 lar noise which they make is much better known to the 

 people in general, than the birds themselves. This noise 

 is heard among the standing corn or long grass ; and such 

 is the activity with which the birds run from place to 

 place, and so constantly are they in motion, that, within 

 a few moments, it is heard in various parts of the field. 

 They are seldom induced to take wing, and, on the con- 

 trary, are so timid, that they will sometimes squat close 

 to the ground, until almost trodden upon by the sports- 

 man or the passenger. They subsist upon snails, worms, 

 insects, and seeds ; and form their nests of moss or dry 

 grass, laying in it from twelve to sixteen eggs, of a dull 

 white colour, marked with yellow spots. 



The feathers on the crown of the head, the hind part 

 of the neck, and the back, are black, edged with bay. 

 The coverts of the wings are of the same colour, but not 

 spotted. The belly is white. The bill and legs are of a 

 brown ash-colour : the former is short, strong, and 

 thick. 



Water Rail. Like the last species, this bird runs very 

 swiftly, and in this act it every now and then flirts up its 

 tail. It frequents the borders of stagnant waters and 

 brooks, concealing itself among the rushes and high) 

 grass, and swimming with great agility. 



Its wings are of a grey colour, spotted with brown, 

 The flanks are spotted with white, and the under part oj| 

 the bill is orange-colour. 



