338 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



Crake very closely resemble those of the Little Crake, 

 and require the most careful identification. Incubation, 

 performed chiefly by the female, lasts from twenty-one 

 to twenty -three days. 



Family RALLID^E. Genus RALLUS. 



WATER-RAIL. 



RALLUS AQUATICUS, Linn&us. 



Probably Double Brooded. Laying season, April, May, June, 

 and July. 



BRITISH BREEDING AREA : The Water-Rail is widely 

 and generally distributed throughout the British Islands 

 in all districts suited to its requirements, including the 

 Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Shetlands, but can 

 nowhere be regarded as abundant with the solitary 

 exception perhaps of the Norfolk Broads. 



BREEDING HABITS : The Water-Rail is for the most 

 part a resident in the British Islands, but subject to 

 much local movement during winter, and there is a per- 

 ceptible arrival of individuals from more northern haunts 

 in autumn, especially in East Anglia. The favourite 

 breeding-haunts of this very shy skulking Rail are pools 

 and stagnant waters which contain an abundant growth 

 of reeds, osier-beds with a dense thick undergrowth of 

 coarse vegetation, especially when near to open water, 

 and boggy ground overgrown with thickets of reeds. 

 The Water-Rail is not gregarious, and each pair keeps 

 closely to its own particular haunt. It is probable that 

 this bird pairs for life. The nest is frequently made in a 

 small thicket of reeds, or under the arching shelter of a 



