LITTLE CRAKE. 77 



of John Walbanke Guilders, Esq., M.P. One also in 

 Derbyshire, near Derby, received by the llev. Thomas 

 G-isborne, of Yoxall Lodge. It is said to have occurred at 

 Grodalming, in Surrey. 



One of these birds was found dead in a plantation on the 

 banks of the Isla, at Thornton, in the parish of Grange, 

 near Banff, N. B., on the 12th. of March, 1852. This is 

 believed by Mr. Edward, of that place, who has recorded the 

 circumstance in the 'Banffshire Journal,' to be the first 

 authenticated instance of the species having been met with 

 in Scotland. In the 'Zoologist,' page 1702, one is mentioned 

 as having been met with near Yarmouth, in March, 1847. 



The Little Crake is not only habituated to low grounds 

 and meadows, both marshy and dry, and the sides of rivulets, 

 but also at times occurs in more elevated and cultivated 

 situations. 



It is easily kept in confinement, and becomes very sociable. 



These birds perch at times on the branches of trees. In 

 moving along the ground, which they do with great velocity, 

 or over the surface of the water-plants, which they tread on 

 so lightly as hardly to seem to ma;ke any impression on 

 them, the body is carried in an horizontal manner, the tail 

 generally lowered, but sometimes erected, and the head and 

 neck thrown back. They swim well, and dive, if need be. 

 Their flight is performed close to the earth, and is wavering 

 in its character, and seldom prolonged to any distance. If 

 alarmed, they run for shelter, in preference, for the most 

 part, to seeking safety by flying ; they have the capability of 

 immersing themselves beneath the water, keeping only the bill 

 above so as to be able to breathe. Meyer says, 'The present- 

 species has a very great peculiarity that belongs solely to 

 itself, namely, its curiosity; if a person who is acquainted 

 with the habits of the bird very carefully approaches the 

 spot where an individual is known to be, it will be seen to 

 come to the edge of the swamp and utter its piping call- 

 note, as it were in astonishment at what it sees.' It appears 

 not to be shy in its habits. 



Its food consists of minute snails and small mollusks, beetles, 

 insects, flies, gnats, grasshoppers, water-spiders, and other 

 insects, and their larvae; the winged kinds it is expert at 

 catching as they fly. 



Nidification commences at the end of May or the beginning 

 of June. 



