444 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



by reason of its retired habits and tbe manner in 

 which it can run through and conceal itself amongst 

 the thick reeds and rank herbage which it constantly 

 frequents, it is not so often seen as might be sup- 

 posed. The power it has of squeezing itself through 

 small holes and amongst the most matted and 

 thickest cover may be at once imagined from the 

 extreme narrowness of the breast-bone, which, when 

 compared with that of other birds of about the same 

 size and weight, shows a most marked difference; 

 for instance, compare it with the Fieldfare or the 

 Snipe, of which the measurements are as follows : 



FIELDFARE. 

 Extreme breadth of breast-bone . 7 lines. 



length of breast-bone . 18 



Depth of keel ' ' '^'V* .'-" . 6 



Whole length of the bird . . 10 in. 

 Weight about 4 oz. 



SNIPE. 

 Extreme breadth of breast-bone . 7 lines. 



length of breast-bone . 22 



Depth of keel . . 9 



Whole length of bird . '. .." . 10 in. 

 Weight about 4 oz. 



WATER RAIL. 



Breadth of breast-bone . 3 lines. 



Length of breast- bone .' . . 18i ,, 



Depth of keel . ; , . . 6 



Whole length of bird i i: *- r 11| in. 

 Weight about 4 oz. 



