WATER RAIL. Ill 



the nature of the localities it frequents, increase the diffi- 

 culty of observation. It is found in the marshy districts 

 of this country, and delights to dwell among the rank 

 vegetation of fens, shallow pools, and water-courses, from 

 which it can scarcely be driven to take wing. If obliged 

 to fly, to save itself from being caught by an eager dog 

 in close pursuit, its progress through the air is slow, with 

 the legs hanging down ; and it drops again in the nearest 

 bed of reeds, flags, or rushes, that is likely, from its size or 

 density, to afford sufficient security. The compressed 

 form of its body enables it to pass easily through the 

 thickest herbage ; while its lengthened toes assist it to 

 swim, and even to dive when necessary for its safety. 



Dr. Fleming, in his paper on the Natural History of our 

 Water Rail, published in the Wernerian Memoirs, says, 

 u This species is a native of the Old World. It was first 

 noticed as an English bird by Merret ; and, as a native of 

 Scotland, by Pennant. Sibbald, indeed, in his Scotia Illus- 

 trata, enumerates the Rallus aquaticus among our northern 

 birds ; but the description which he subjoins obviously be- 

 longs to the Common Gallinule. On the continent of 

 Europe it is considered as a summer bird of passage, and 

 has been observed crossing the Mediterranean Sea in the 

 spring, going northwards, and in autumn retiring south- 

 wards." 



Buifon says that a flight of Water Rails were seen at the 

 distance of fifty leagues from the coast of Portugal in the 

 middle of April, some of which were so fatigued that they 

 allowed themselves to be taken by the hand. The Rev. 

 Robert Holdsworth wrote me word that a bird of this 

 species alighted on the yard of a man-of-war, about five 

 hundred miles to the westward of Cape Clear, and at the 

 same distance from any known land. An officer of the 

 ship caught it, and took care of it, and carried it with him 



