198 Birds in the Hay-field. 



with the greatest ease. But if not fired at, after 

 he has got well on the wing the flight becomes much 

 stronger, and it is evident that he is capable of a 

 long voyage. 



Sometimes, by patience and skilfully anticipating 

 his zigzag motions in the grass, the crake may be 

 driven to the hedge without a dog. He will then, 

 after a short time, if still hunted, ' quat ' in the 

 thickest bunch of grass or weeds he can find in the 

 ditch, and will stay till all but stepped on, when he 

 can be knocked down with a walking-stick. After 

 the grass is mown, the crakes leave the meadows and 

 go to the arable fields, where the crops aiford them 

 shelter. This district seems a very favorite resort of 

 these birds. 



The mowing-grass while standing does not appear 

 to attract other birds much ; but immediately the 

 scythe has passed over they flock to the swathes from 

 the hedges, and come, too, to the hay itself when 

 quite dry. In ha}' there are many plants whose 

 stems are hollow. Now, as soon as a stalk is dry, if 

 there be any crevice at all, insects will creep in ; so 

 that these tiny tubes are frequentty full of inhabitants 

 which probably attract the birds. 



Sometimes a bird will perch for a moment on a 

 haymaker's hat as he walks slowly down a lane with 

 hedges each side ; the fibres of hay have adhered to 

 it, and the keen eyes above have detected some mov- 

 ing creature on them. Birds that are otherwise 

 timid will remain on the footpath to the very last 

 moment, almost till within reach, if they chance to 

 be dissecting a choice morsel, some exquisite beetle 

 or moth pecking at it in eager haste and running 



