THE RAIL TRIBE 2215 



what an uproar they make. At this period the males are very pugnacious, and 

 combats are rife till each has selected a female for the season. The males stand 

 erect and cry aloud at the least sound they hear, guard their mates, and continue 

 faithfully to protect them until the young make their appearance. ' ' The nest is 

 large and very deep, constructed of marsh plants and fastened to the stems in the 

 midst of the thickest tufts above high-water mark. This species may be called gre- 

 garious, the nest being placed on the most elevated grass tufts within a few yards 

 of each other. Eight to fifteen eggs of a pale buff color, thinly spotted with light 

 brown and purple, are laid, and, being delicious eating, large numbers are collected 

 for the market. This species can swim fairly well, and can traverse the partially- 

 submerged weeds with great rapidity." 



The next group we have to notice are the curious weka rails 

 ^Af ckei Rciils 



{Ocydromus), only found in New Zealand, and incapable of flight, 



though provided with ample wings. They may be recognized by their rather 

 large size, nearly as big as the common pheasant, their bill shorter than the 

 middle toe and claw, and their elongate wing coverts, which extend nearly to the 

 extremity of the quills, as well as by their stout, strong legs. A good account of 

 this bird is given by Sir W. Buller, who writes that it is seminocturnal in its habits, 

 and usually remains concealed during the day in thick fern or scrub, taking 

 refuge in a hollow log or other natural cavity. Occasionally its digs itself a sub- 

 terranean burrow, the bill only being employed for this purpose, which serves as a 

 retreat as well as a breeding place. This bird is remarkably bold and fearless, 

 sometimes visiting the farmyards, and even entering houses. It is pugnacious 

 and perfectly omnivorous, being well known to plunder and eat the eggs and 

 young of ground birds, and will, it is said, even attack a full-grown rat. The cry 

 commenced at sunset and continued through the night, is a peculiar and not 

 unpleasant whistle. A pair usually perform together, calling alternately and in 

 quick succession, the male always taking the lead. As already stated, these birds 

 usually breed in burrows, laying two and sometimes three eggs of the usual ralline 

 type. 



The corncrake or land rail ( Crex pratensis) , representing a genus 

 Corncrake and r ., . ,. , ,, , L , , _. 



Carolina own, is found throughout the greater part of Europe and as far 



Rai l east as the Yenisei in Siberia, ranging south in winter to Africa, while 



it is also an occasional visitant to North America and Greenland. 

 Nearly allied is the Carolina rail (C. Carolina}, in which the general color above is 

 olivaceous brown varied with black centres and white margins to the feathers; fore- 

 head, crown, front of the face, and middle of the throat and neck black; the eye- 

 brow stripes, sides of the face and neck, as well as the chest, ashy gray; the breast 

 white, and the flanks barred with black and white. 



A very beautiful little group of pygmy rails inhabits Africa and 

 Madagascar, characterized by the soft tail feathers almost hidden by 

 the coverts. In the South- African form (Corethrura rufa) the general color of the 

 upper parts, sides, and flanks is black, longitudinally streaked with white; the 

 inner quills, lower back, and tail being spotted with the same color. The head, 

 neck, and chest are rich vinous chestnut, and the breast white streaked and barred 



