BIRDS in 



such as small crustaceans, tiny crabs, shrimps, sand-hoppers, and insects. 

 Frequently it works in parties, two or more birds combining to turn over some 

 object too heavy for one to move. The bird is not unlike a miniature Oyster- 

 catcher, especially in flight, when the large patches of white on wings and body 

 make it conspicuous and give it a distinctly pied appearance. As a matter of 

 fact, together with the Oyster-catcher (which see), it belongs to the sub-family 

 of H cematopodina " Red-legged " Plovers. 



It is chiefly known to us as a spring and autumn bird of passage, but some 

 are almost always to be seen in summer. It may possibly breed in Ireland or 

 on islands off the West and North of Scotland, but there is only the scantiest 

 evidence of this. 



Its cry on the wing is a " long, chuckling twitter " " Cheeka-cheeka- 

 cheeka-chee." In searching for it through a glass, remember it is smaller than 

 a Blackbird, with (in summer) white crown and nape, streaked with black ; 

 a black and chestnut back and wings. Under parts white, except upper breast 

 which is black ; black beak, red legs. In winter it becomes browner above, 

 and the throat white. 



Water-rail. A resident of the same family as the Corncrake, Waterhen, 

 and Coot. It is identified by a red beak, brown back with black streaks, blue- 

 grey neck and breast, and a conspicuous patch of black-and-white bars on the 

 flanks. A shy bird like the Corncrake, it breeds locally for example, on the 

 Norfolk Broads the nest being generally well hidden in swamps and marshes, 

 sometimes on a tussock, or in osier beds ; it is a largish nest, built of dead 

 leaves of flags, reeds, etc., well rounded, and lined with leaves. The eggs 

 (seven to twelve) are like those of the Land-rail, creamy white with a few small 

 reddish spots, chiefly at the big end (very rarely, bold blotches of red-brown). 

 The Water-rail feeds on worms, slugs, snails, and some vegetation. It has a 

 " loud, explosive call," which the country folk call " sharming " ; but except for 

 this, it is a silent and furtive bird. 



The SPOTTED CRAKE, or SPOTTED RAIL, is a rarer bird, olive-brown, with 

 white spots on neck and fore-breast ; a summer visitor ; has occasionally bred, 

 and may still do so, in several southern counties, choosing marshy ground, 

 where plenty of rank growth is to be found. A large nest ; eight to twelve 

 eggs, stone-buff, with dark red spots. 



Woodpecker, Great Spotted. Less common than the Green Woodpecker; 

 prefers oak woods, hedgerows with large ash trees, or riversides where rows of 

 pollarded willows may be found. It is a shy and solitary bird uttering an 

 occasional " Guet-guet " and other notes, and when alarmed a loud " Chink- 

 chink." It does not, like the Green Woodpecker, eat ants, but other insects ; 

 also fruit such as cherries in their season, and, in the autumn, berries. It 

 may be recognized by its black-and-white plumage, the patch of red on back 

 of the head, and the red under the tail coverts. 



The drumming, of which it is a great exponent, peculiar to all the Wood- 

 peckers, is produced by the bird striking the tree with its beak. This is done so 



