THE CORN CRAKE 



CREX PRATENSIS 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A common and widely 

 distributed summer visitor, varying considerably in num- 

 bers locally. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : There are still many spots from five to eight 

 miles from the City where the rasping cry of the Corn 

 Crake may be heard occasionally. The bird is somewhat 

 erratic in its appearance, more abundant in some summers 

 than others, and often deserting a locality for no apparent 

 reason. Building operations in suburban London have 

 done much to decrease its numbers. It is sometimes heard 

 in Dulwich Park, on Wimbledon Common, in Wimbledon 

 Park, and at Richmond and Kew Gardens. I have 

 records of it from meadows in the Osterley, Hanwell, 

 and Wembley districts ; from Southall, Harrow, Pinner, 

 Hendon, Finchley, Enfield, Waltham, Hampstead, Epping 

 and Wanstead. In the most outlying districts it occurs 

 more frequently, if locally, whilst it may visit many 

 localities during its annual journeys when it is silent, and 

 escape notice. 



The harsh, discordant voice of the Corn Crake may still, 

 I am heartily pleased to say, be heard in Greater London. 

 There are yet many broad, goodly acres left within our 

 limits to afford it cover, although these are being gradually 

 absorbed by that destructive octopus the speculative 

 builder. It reaches our southern counties towards the 

 end of April, the return migration being undertaken in 

 September and October. So far as Greater London is 

 concerned the favourite retreats of this Crake are hay- 

 meadows and growing grain ; upon its arrival it may 

 frequently be heard in other spots, especially private 



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