THE RAILS AND CRAKES. 257 



They nest soon after arrival, late in May. The nest is of 

 grass lined with softer grasses, and is placed on the ground 

 in the corn or long grass. Eggs, 7 to 10, i% inch; dull 

 brownish white, with red spots. 



Not uncommon in the marshy tracts of these islands, 

 but rarer than formerly, the Water-rail is as shy as the last, 



even noisier, and still more reluctant to rise on 

 Water-rail. , ' , , . . 



the wing. About the same size, it is easily 



distinguished by the conspicuous white bars on the wing, 

 as also by its red bill. It passes its life among the sedges, 

 feeding on aquatic insects and molluscs, and nesting in 

 March, two broods being reared. The bird is by no means 

 so close a sitter as the last, the nest being of reeds, and 

 therefore admirably concealed among the same material. 

 Eggs, 7 to 10, under i% inch; creamy white, with red 

 and grey spots. 



The Spotted Crake breeds during its visit in the east and 



south of England, in parts of Wales and Scotland, rarely 



* Spotted in Ireland. The return migration takes place 



Crake. i n October, but a few birds are thought to 

 remain through the winter. The small white spots with 

 which the bird is thickly covered distinguish it at once 

 from the rest, which it closely resembles in food and 

 habits. Its nest, placed among the reeds, is a far more 

 artistic structure than those of its relations, consisting of 

 flags, with a soft-lined receptacle for the eggs. Eggs, 7 to 

 10, i YZ inch; greenish brown, with red spots. 



Little Crake. A rare visitor from the south, chiefly to 

 the eastern counties, where it has occurred over a dozen 

 times. The bill and legs are green. 



Baillon's Crake. A very rare straggler, chiefly to the 

 eastern counties. Its home is in Africa. It is said to 

 have nested in this country. 



The Moorhen, or Water-hen, is familiar on many of our 

 inland waters, and may be recognised by its red-and-yellow 



