570 THE RAILS 



might perhaps be written ' Urmph,' is often uttered, and when caught 

 and handled, though at first silent and simulating death, they will 

 after a time struggle and grunt angrily. Naumann describes this note 

 as a hollow internal growling note, and Bechstein noted that in 

 confinement they would crouch down close together and growl like 

 cats. Of course, where the birds are comparatively scarce, each male 

 keeps undisputed watch and ward over his own territory, yet strangely 

 enough two or three pairs may sometimes be found breeding in a 

 single field, while other fields, to all appearance equally suitable, will 

 remain unoccupied. In the Hebrides, where the grass is very short 

 and the cover extremely scanty, the corncrake has modified its habits 

 to suit its environment. Instead of nesting in the open pastures it 

 resorts to the clumps of yellow flags which grow in the damper spots, 

 and here, in a site which would seem more appropriate for a water- 

 rail's nest, several pairs may be found breeding close together. 

 Mr. J. Henderson informs me that in Tiree he found a colony of 

 half a dozen nests not far from one another in a place of this kind. 



Little has been recorded as to the courting actions of this species. 

 Mr. Henderson has noted the male running up and down in front 

 of the hen, uttering an occasional grunt, and also a note which he 

 compares to the complaining note of the hen (Gallus domesticus), with 

 a hissing sound at the end. This is a call-note, and is replied to by 

 the hen. Probably this is the weak cackling note which Naumann 

 writes as "kjii kjo kjd," and is common to both sexes. Mr. J. L. 

 Bonhote states that a pair which he kept in confinement, on being 

 turned out into a grass run, paired almost at once. The cock craked 

 incessantly, walking about on tiptoe, and generally showing himself 

 off. At this time he would often chase the hen, who would run away, 

 dragging both wings on the ground, and as soon as she stopped, would 

 drive her on by a sharp peck at the back of the head. In an open field, 

 no doubt the hen would have been able to keep more out of reach. 1 



From the time of his first arrival up to the time that the eggs are 



1 Avicultural Magazine, vol. ii. p. 179 (1896). 



