210 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



from seven to ten in number, are rather less than those of 

 the Corn Crake or Land Rail, and also of a lighter and more 

 delicate ground-colour, being of a pale cream-colour, with 

 perhaps a slight admixture of greyish-pink ; the spots, which 

 are grey and dull-red, are fewer and finer than in the eggs 

 of the Land Eail. Altogether, while there is a very con- 

 siderable general resemblance between the eggs of the two 

 species, there is sufficient difference to render them readily 

 distinguishable. 



THE MEADOW OR CORN CRAKE. Great pratensis. Among 

 the meadows and other enclosures and lands of sheltered 

 valleys through which rivers wind, the Corn Crake or Land 

 Eail delights to range ; and here, in the dewy evening and 

 early morning, its peculiar call or crake is heard. Both 

 this and the last species possess a power of modulating their 

 voices, so that they often deceive the ear, seeming now close 

 at hand, and shortly at a great distance from the listener. 

 The Corn Crake is migratory, coming in April or May to 

 breed, and again retiring to the European continent after 

 the young are reared. Like the Water Eail, it is a bird 

 which cautiously shuns observation, threading its way 

 through the close herbage, and seldom rising for flight 

 unless absolutely compelled to do so. It forms its nest of 



