THE rFATUH HAIL. 67 



The Water Rail is, to some extent at any rate, a 

 migratory bird, and although in our own country the 

 greater portion remain all the year, yet it is known to be a 

 summer visitor in some countries, where its existence would 

 be impossible during the winter. 



In Europe the bird is said to be abundant in Holland, 

 Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and 

 Italy, and occasionally, in the summer, in Norway, Sweden, 

 and the Faroe Islands. In Ireland it is commonly met 

 with, and is stated to be resident there. In England the 

 bird is more or less distributed throughout the country, but 

 it is more numerous in the '^ fen country '' than in any 

 other parts. 



The bird usually migrates by night, and appears attracted 

 by the lights of towns, as several are caught every spring 

 and autumn (usually in the early morning) in the streets 

 and small gardens of most of the towns on the South Coast. 

 The voice of the Water Rail is a discordant croak, 

 uttered usually in the evening. It much resembles the 

 note of the Land Rail. 



When suddenly surprised, or forced by some per- 

 sistent dog to take refuge in flight, it proceeds in 

 rather a laboured style ; it flies slowly, the legs 

 hang loosely down, the bird seems unwilling or 

 unable to surmount any high obstacle, and gladly drops 

 down into the first place likely to afford security and con- 

 cealment. The shape of the body enables it to run quickly 

 and noiselessly through the flags and rushes of its resorts, 

 and it also swims with ease and confidence. The Water 

 Rail has the same peculiar habit of jerking or flirting up 

 the tail when walking that is so noticeable in the' moor 

 hen and other members of the family. When exhausted 



