216 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE LAND RAIL. 



numerous, as well as the most beautiful species of the 

 maritime sandpipers. It is distributed along almost 

 all our sea-coasts, from north to south. In winter, 

 the birds congregate in almost innumerable packs, on 

 the shores and estuaries, where they follow the tide, 

 in their feeding parties, with great assiduity. They 

 have the most picturesque effect possible, thus 

 crowded together, after, or before, their repasts, 

 either perching on the rocks, or inactively strewing 

 the beach. They are from seven to eight inches 

 long. Wherever, in Scotland, or om' own country, 

 the sea forms estuaries, or the country is studded 

 with lochs, there be sure, this beautifully-coated 

 little creature may be seen in flocks, in its gayest 

 attire, hmiting for the softest food. Pro\dncially, the 

 ox-bird, or stint. 



The Land Rail, or Corn Crake [Rallus Crex: 

 Linn.). — We cannot write of the land rail, before 

 dinner, without a certain exudation from the palate. 

 This fat little bird must not be confounded with the 

 water rail : besides that its bill is much shorter, 

 it is much more timorous — indeed, so much so as 

 to be almost invisible but to the most persevering 

 pointer and sportsman ; and it is made so strong 

 in the lower limbs, by the length of the leg, shank, 

 and toes, that its rapidity of motion appears next 

 to miraculous. What need of wings at all to a 

 creature, considering its proportions, with such an 

 enormous capacity of stretch. Talk of seven-league 

 boots, indeed ! You must drop the simile, and think 



