BRITISH BIRDS. 139 



his patience, and distracts and misleads his dog", 

 by the length of time to which it can protract its 

 taking wing; and it seldom rises until it has 

 crossed every pool, and run through every avenue 

 within the circuit of its retreats. It is, however, 

 easily shot when flushed, for it flies but indifferently, 

 with its legs dangling down. It is common in 

 Great Britain, breeds in the fens, and is numerous 

 in the marshes of the northern countries of Europe, 

 whence, partially and irregularly, it migrates 

 southward, even into Africa, during the severity of 

 the winter season. Buffon says, "they pass Malta 

 in the spring and autumn," and to confirm this, 

 adds, " that the Viscount de Querhoent saw a flight 

 of them at the distance of fifty leagues from the 

 coasts of Portugal on the iyth of April, some of 

 which were so fatigued that they suffered them- 

 selves to be caught by the hand." The flesh of the 

 Water Rail is not so generally esteemed as that of 

 the Land Rail, and yet by many it is thought rich 

 and delicious eating. 



