THE SPOTTED CRAKE. 263 



birds have been repeatedly taken in the breeding season in Banff- 

 shire, Fife, East Lothian, and Berwick, it is not unreasonable to 

 infer that the species nest in these counties also. In the west of 

 Scotland, the spotted crake has been taken in "Wigtonshire, Ren- 

 frewshire, and Argyllshire ; but I have no authentic instance of its 

 occurrence north of the last-named district. In its habits this bird 

 closely resembles its congener the water-rail, and, like it, is not 

 easily flushed from its haunts. Although a migratory species, the 

 spotted crake appears to come early, specimens being occasionally 

 taken about the beginning of April ; as a rule, it also lingers much 

 later than other migratory birds, stray examples having been shot 

 in November, December, and even January, so that it is absent not 

 more than two or three months. It may, indeed, be yet found to 

 be, in some of the southern districts, permanently resident. From 

 its shy and unobtrusive habits, and its life of seclusion and silence 

 in marshy places, from which it but rarely issues, it is much less 

 frequently seen than birds which try to escape by flight when dis- 

 turbed. Rather than take wing, it will thrust itself, when molested, 

 into any hole or tuft of grass, and remain concealed until quiet is 

 restored; and on this account the comparative numbers of the 

 species cannot readily be ascertained.' " 



The bird is, however, unquestionably a rara avis, a rarissima 

 avis even, in the north of Scotland, and to have seen the bird as 

 Mr. Snowie was privileged to see and handle it, we should cheer- 

 fully have walked ten miles, were it the coldest day in mid-winter. 



