WATER RAIL 



allowed me to pick it up again ! Then I placed it on the 

 water, and the little creature just swam round and about, 

 pecking unconcernedly at insects, for a long time keeping 

 company with me, seeming quite contented and not at all anxious 

 to leave. 



Sometimes, when waiting for other birds to come to my camera, 

 I have thought of the Water Rail, and after a long and anxious 

 wait have wished they were as tame and confiding as my little 

 friend the Rail. 



When swimming on the water this bird looks very graceful, 

 and reminds one somewhat of the Red-necked Phalarope a rare 

 bird, which I have seen on the Hebridean lochs, and also at one 

 secluded place in the Orkney Islands. It has the same quick 

 and sudden movements, and darts its beak out sharply here and 

 there as it picks up flies and water insects. But it seems much 

 more at home in the reeds, where, with beak lowered, the slim- 

 bodied bird creeps and pushes its way through, hardly disturbing 

 them as it moves onwards. 



In the winter months the Water Rail is more often seen, and 

 it is owing to this fact that many think it is a winter visitor, but 

 I am more inclined to think that the birds are there just the 

 same in summer, but owing to the taller reeds and grasses 

 are not seen. However, with a bird of such skulking habits, 

 which so successfully conceals itself, the problem is difficult to 

 solve. 



The Water Rail will not take to its wings unless pressed, 

 and it is in the shooting season, when flushed by dogs, that it 

 uses its wings most. It is surprising how a Water Rail will 

 lead a dog over a meadow before actually flying. I have seen 

 a retriever following up the scent, and, before the bird actually 

 flew, it worked in a zig-zag fashion over a large part of the marshy 

 field. 



33 E 



