CRAKE. GRALLATORES. CREX. 183 



legs are also described as of an olive colour ; whereas those 

 of C. Baillonii are flesh-coloured, and the bill orange-red at 

 the base, a particular unnoticed by TEMMINCK in his ac- 

 count of the latter species, but which nearly agree with the 

 colour of those parts in Crex pusilla. MONTAGU'S bird is 

 evidently nearly allied to C. Baillonii ; but as, in ornitho- 

 logy, specific differences are sometimes found to exist in fea- 

 tures of as little apparent consequence as those just mention- 

 ed, it is not improbable but that future investigation will 

 prove the Gattinula Foljambei of MONTAGU to be a distinct 

 species from either the C. Baillonii or C. pusilla. For the 

 present, however, I have inserted it as a doubtful synonym 

 of the former of these. This Crake, like the others of the 

 genus, is an inhabitant of swamps, and the reedy margins of 

 lakes or smaller pools ; in such retirement its peculiar shy- 

 ness of disposition screens it from observation, unless, when 

 suddenly surprised, it is compelled to make a momentary 

 use of its pinions. At other times, when aware of the ap- 

 proach of danger, it evades its enemy by the rapidity of its 

 progress through the entangled aquatic herbage ; or by the 

 ease with which, from the compressed and wedge-shaped 

 form of its body, it can pierce through the interstices of the 

 thickest bed of reeds. It is also said to swim and dive well, 

 and sometimes to elude pursuit by submerging its body, and 

 keeping its bill only above the surface of the water, as the 

 Rail and Common Gallinule frequently do. In Britain it is Rare visi- 

 only known as a rare visitant ; and the few specimens which tant * 

 have occurred have all been taken in the eastern parts of 

 England ; nor have I hitherto met with any instance of its 

 capture in the north. Upon the opposite continental coast, 

 in nearly the same parallel of latitude, it is not uncommon, 

 being well known in the neighbourhood of Boulogne, where 

 it annually breeds in the marshes. It is also spread over the 

 other districts of France during its polar migration ; but is 

 much more numerous in Italy, and the eastern parts of Eu- 

 rope. Its nest is usually placed near to the water's edge, or Nest, &c. 



