SPOTTED CRAKE. 99 



in consequence, more frequently obtained in autumn than 

 at any other season. Mr. Selby mentions, that, by the 

 aid of a dog accustomed to pursue these birds, he has, just 

 previous to their departure in autumn, sometimes flushed 

 as many as six in a large morass in his neighbourhood in 

 Northumberland, the majority of which were young birds 

 of the year. 



Mr. Heysham has also recorded the occurrence of this 

 bird in autumn, on several occasions, on the western side 

 of Cumberland. Montagu mentions, that in his time the 

 Spotted Crake had not been noticed farther north than 

 Cumberland : Mr. Selby has since found it in various 

 parts of Scotland, and T. M. Grant, Esq. of Edinburgh, 

 sent me word that he has a specimen of the Spotted 

 Galliuule in his collection that was shot in Forfarshire, in 

 October 1832. The food of this species consists of worms, 

 aquatic insects, and slugs, with some soft vegetable sub- 

 stances. One bird, kept by Montagu in confinement, fed 

 on worms, and bread and milk. 



These birds breed in marshes that are overgrown with 

 reeds and sedges ; their nest, built on the wet ground, 

 very frequently at the water's edge, is formed of coarse 

 aquatic plants, lined with finer materials within. Eight or 

 ten eggs are deposited, which are of a pale reddish white, 

 spotted and speckled with dark reddish brown ; they 

 measure one inch three lines in length, by eleven lines in 

 breadth. The young are at first covered with black down, 

 and are said to take to the water very soon after they are 

 hatched. In the autumn these birds are considered to 

 be in the best condition for the table, and as an article of 

 food are in great estimation, particularly in France. The 

 flesh is said to be of a fine and delicate flavour. 



M. Nilsson says, the Spotted Rail occasionally visits 



H 2 



