74 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



SPOTTED CRAKE (Porzana maruetta) . 



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 white 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-markings. 



LITTLE CRAKE (Porzana parva). 



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

 autumn. Several examples have been reported from 



