164 EALLID^ 



tory. 1 In Ireland, where the seasons are generally less severe 

 than in England or Scotland, there have been numbers of 

 records of Corn-Crakes taken in winter, but according to 

 Mr. Ussher, though birds have been obtained in November, 

 December, January, and February, there is nothing to show 

 that any have remained until March. It is also quite true 

 that these few stragglers, or winter Corn-Crakes, are gene- 

 rally discovered ensconced in holes in walls or banks. They 

 are not hibernating in the true physiological sense, but being 

 accustomed to more southern climes in winter, are simply 



FIG. 19. -CORN-CRAKE. 



seeking what warmth and shelter they can obtain ; indeed 

 they are often found to be slightly injured by shot, 2 or in a 

 debilitated condition, and so unable to undertake a journey 

 across the sea. 



In the Outer Hebrides there have been several instances 

 of these birds remaining throughout the winter, and one 

 was recorded at the unusual date of March 3rd, 1902 

 (Harvie-Brown, * Avifauna of the Outer Hebrides '). 



Flight. One must not suppose that the Corn-Crake is 

 weak on the wing, because, when flushed by a dog out of the 



1 Sportsmen sometimes make the mistake of stating that they often 

 shoot Corn-Crakes in winter and can obtain one any winter. I have 

 frequently acceded to their kind offers and have duly received, just as 

 I expected, specimens of Water-Rails. 



2 For instance, Mr. W. J. Williams records a specimen obtained from 

 co. Armagh, on February 2nd, 1906, in which the wing had been pre- 

 viously broken, but the bone had united ( ' Irish Naturalist,' 1906, p. 112). 



