182 



small birds such as Chaffinches and Yellow- 

 hammers. 



The specimens in the case were obtained near 

 Shoreham in January, 1871. 



WATER RAIL. 

 Case 267. 



The Water Rail is usually met with in low- 

 lying marshy ground, occasionally however being 

 found frequenting the banks of rough streams in 

 wooded districts. 



The extensive reed-beds and trackless swamps 

 that abound in the neighbourhood of the Broads in 

 the eastern counties are admirably adapted to their 

 habits, and the bird though but seldom seen may 

 be heard continuously during fine still weather in 

 the summer months ; the peculiar squeaks and 

 grunts that are emitted by this species would never 

 be supposed by anyone unacquainted with its note to 

 proceed from the throat of a bird. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in 

 the Potter Heigham marshes in Norfolk in May, 

 1870. 



SPOTTED RAIL. 

 Case 268. 



Though the Spotted Rail is usually considered 

 a summer visitor to our shores, a few I believe will 

 occasionally remain during the winter in suitable 

 localities. 



Like its neighbour the Water Rail, the present 

 species is particularly abundant in the Broad 

 district in the eastern counties. While Snipe 

 shooting in the autumn I have repeatedly found 

 them in great numbers in the neighbourhood of 

 Yarmouth. 



The male and female were obtained in Pevensey 



