BAILLON'S CEAKE 175 



case of the Little Crake, that this species may remain 

 with us in some districts during the summer months to 

 breed. Most specimens have come from Norfolk. It has 

 also been recorded from the following counties, seven of 

 which are maritime and have furnished us with examples 

 of the Little Crake : Cumberland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, 

 Suffolk, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, 1 Hertfordshire, 

 Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall. 



In Wales this species appears to have been obtained 

 but once, namely at Llangwstenin, near Colwyn Bay, on 

 November 6th, 1905 (H. E. Forrest, 'Zoologist,' 1905, 

 p. 465). 



From Scotland there are four records : One probably 

 obtained in Sutherland in 1841 (in the Sinclair collection 

 at Thurso) ; one from Dumfriesshire, recorded by Jardine, 

 1842 ; one from Stranraer, 1891 ; and one from Kenfrew- 

 shire, in May, 1893 ; the last bird having struck a telegraph 

 wire (Saunders). 



In Ireland only two 2 examples have been obtained, one in 

 spring, the other in autumn, and both many years ago. The 

 first was procured on a bog near Youghal, on October 30th, 

 1845, It was subsequently examined by the late Mr. A. G. 

 More ('Zoologist,' 1882, p. 113). The second bird was 

 captured alive on Tramore Bay, co. Waterford, on April 6th, 

 1858. It was presented in 1892, by Dr. Burkitt, to the 

 Dublin Museum. 



Baillon's Crake is also a bird of the wet marshes, though, 

 according to Mr. Saunders, it " appears to be less partial to 



meres and open waters than the Little Crake 



if disturbed it runs like a water-rat in preference to taking 

 wing." 



Flight. Like other Crakes, it is rapid in its flight when 

 once fairly started, but one very seldom has the opportunity 

 of watching its aerial movements. 



evidence to show that the bird remains throughout the year, though 

 a specimen is said to have been captured on some ice near Cambridge 

 in January, 1823. 



1 A specimen was picked up under telegraph wires near Nottingham, 

 on June 22nd, 1893 ('Zoologist,' 1893). 



2 It is highly probable that this diminutive Crake has also been 

 repeatedly overlooked ; sportsmen when beating the marsh with a well- 

 trained dog may secure one. Even if killed by a dog and almost torn 

 to pieces, the remains should not be thrown away, but sent at once to 

 a competent authority for proper identification. 



