RAILS. 253 



centre of the back, and sometimes on the scapulars, 

 but never on the wing-coverts ; in Baillon's Crake, 

 on the contrary, these white markings are very 

 numerous and generally distributed. 



" The colour of the bill is the same in both 

 species, being pale green, and red at the base. The 

 eye in both is crimson. The colour of the legs and 

 feet, however, differs in each, those of the Little 

 Crake being pale green, and those of Baillon's 

 Crake flesh-colour. " 



THE WATER RAIL (Rallus aquaticus] appears 

 to be less common in Ireland than the Landrail, 

 although, perhaps, it may be less often seen, on 

 account of its retired habits and unwillingness to 

 take flight. 



THE WATERHEN or MOORHEN (Gallinula chloro- 

 pus) is fairly numerous on rivers and weedy ponds, 

 but is seldom seen except singly or in pairs, and 

 never in numbers on open waters like the next 

 species. 



THE COOT {Fulica atra] is very common on 

 inland fresh waters, but not on the large lakes. On 

 Lough Gur, co. Limerick, I have seen from two to 

 three thousand together. 



