374 



GRALL^E. RALLID^. 



darts across with his rattling call, while the snowy 

 form of the White Gaulin is seen in the distance, 

 relieved against the dark bushes, as it drags its 

 heavy flight across the swamp. All the while 

 gushes of rich melody are pouring from the throats 

 of a dozen Mocking-birds around, soothing us as 

 we recline on the soft beds of thyme that profusely 

 cover the bank and fill the air with delicious fra- 

 grance. 



It was in this situation that Sam found the little 

 Crake before us, on the 30th of March. It was 

 at first standing at the edge of the stream, whence 

 it ran up the large marsh-fern, vulgarly known as 

 Wild-ginger, and peeped from among the fronds, 

 until the lad shot it. It was a male. I found in 

 its stomach, which was not very muscular, merely 

 a little yellowish mucus, and some small gravel. 

 We never met with the species again. I suspect, 

 however, it is a permanent inhabitant of the mo- 

 rasses ; but the impenetrable character of these 

 sombre and foetid recesses, renders an acquaint- 

 ance with their inhabitants very difficult. The 

 swiftness of foot, and the retiring habits of most 

 of these birds, as well as their nocturnal rather 

 than diurnal activity, add to this difficulty. The 

 naturalist is often indebted for his knowledge of a 

 species to " the fortune of the hour," more than 

 to his own efforts. Hence, I have no doubt, many 

 birds of this tribe, unknown to me, exist in Ja- 

 maica. 



