RALLID^E. 211 



dry grass, in meadows, on the ground, and lays from seven 

 to ten eggs of a pale-brownish tint, blotched or spotted with 

 reddish or rusty brown, slightly varied with additional 

 markings of purple-grey. 



THE SPOTTED CRAKE. Crex porzana. The Spotted Crake, 

 like the last species, arrives in this country in the spring, 

 departing again in the autumn; it is, however, more aquatic 

 in its habits than the Corn Crake, frequenting marshes and 

 the borders of lakes and rivers ; and as it is very retired in 

 its habits, and does not betray its presence by its call or 

 cry, it is perhaps accounted rarer than it in reality is. It 

 is diffused in suitable localities over England, is frequent in 

 Scotland, and accounted an occasional summer visitant in 

 Ireland. Its nest is formed amidst its accustomed haunts, 

 near to water, and in similar situations to that of the Water 

 Bail. It is constructed of portions of the reed, lined with 

 grass; and the eggs, which are from seven to ten, while 

 they possess a general resemblance to those of the Corn 

 Crake, yet are easily distinguished from them by the colours 

 both of the ground and markings, which have less of the 

 clear reddish-tinge than those of the allied species. 



BAILLON'S CRAKE. Crex Baillonii. " This little Crake 

 is almost a miniature representation of the last/' and its 

 nest is said to be constructed similarly to that of the Spotted 



