406 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



Again on the 1st of May, 1863, I was shown three 

 young water-rails in their black down, which had 

 been found in the same locality (one of our smallest 

 broads) as the eggs of the previous year. From the 

 early date at which these youngsters were hatched, and 

 the eggs at Diss being taken in June, I presume that 

 this species has, at least, two broods in the year; and 

 that it breeds early is proved by the fact that a nest 

 found by Mr. J. E. Harting in Sussex,* in 1868, con- 

 tained seven eggs on the llth of April, whilst in other 

 instances he has met with them only in June and July. 

 I saw a nest of this rail on the 17th of May, 1867, 

 amongst some thick reeds on East Walton Common, 

 near Westacre, but no eggs had been laid. From Mr. 

 A. Hamond, jun., however, I learn that some have been 

 taken in other seasons from this spot. 



Mr. Lubbock, in his " Fauna/' thus alludes to " the 

 peculiar and explosive cry," as he terms it, of the water- 

 rail during the breeding season. " Some years back a 

 youth, the son of the ferry keeper, at Surlingham, told me 

 he knew of a rail's nest. We went towards the Broad 

 together to inspect it. As we walked forward, I once 

 or twice heard a noise, the cry of some bird unknown to 

 me ; and on questioning my guide, he answered at 

 once, 'It is the rail crying out.' It was so loud and 

 singular a note that I doubted so small a bird having 

 such power of clamour; but on creeping up gently 

 behind some alders, I could see the rails at intervals as 

 they played about in the vicinity, and satisfied myself 



* This nest was found in the parish of Harting, in Sussex, in 

 an old moat, which three hundred years ago surrounded the house 

 of Sir Anthony Windesor. It is now nearly dry and much over- 

 grown with willow, sedge, and coarse herbage. The nest was 

 placed at the foot of a willow clump, neatlj composed of dried flags 

 without any lining, and almost concealed by the overhanging flags 

 by which it was surrounded. 



