THE WATER RAIL. 485 



196. THE CORNCRAKE. 



Ralius Crex, LIN. La Rale de Genet, ou Roi des Cailles, BUF. Der 

 Wachtel Konig, BECH. 



Description. The fact that the Corncrake is common when 

 the Quail is so, and vice versa that it migrates at the same 

 time in autumn, and returns with it in spring is doubtless 

 the reason why it is known in Prance and Germany by the 

 name of the Quail King. It is ten inches in length, and about the 

 size of the Missel Thrush. The beak is compressed at the sides ; 

 the upper mandible brownish grey ; the lower flesh colour ; 

 the feet a light lead colour. The feathers of the head, neck, 

 back, and tail are black, edged with reddish grey, which gives 

 all these parts a spotty appearance, and produces on the back 

 and shoulders five longitudinal black stripes. A grey streak 

 passes above and below the eyes ; and a reddish grey stripe runs 

 from the root of the beak between them. The wing coverts 

 and foremost pen feathers are brownish red ; the neck and 

 breast dingy grey ; the belly white, striped with rust colour 

 on the sides and vent ; the rust coloured stripes being edged 

 with dark brown. The female is pale grey on the breast, and 

 the two stripes near the eyes are greyish white. 



Observations. The Corncrake is rarely seen on the wing ; 

 but the harsh cry of the male, arrp ! shnarrp ! may be frequently 

 heard from the meadows in the evening and early part of the 

 night. It feeds on insects and seeds ; and in confinement thrives 

 on bread and milk, or on wheat, barley, or millet. The female lays 

 her eggs, which are from eight to twelve in number, and greenish 

 grey, speckled with light brown, on the bare ground ; and sits so 

 steadily and constantly, as often to be killed by the scythe of the 

 mower. The young when first hatched are covered with black 

 down, and are not fully fledged for three weeks. In autumn they 

 run among the oat stubble with the Quails, and may then bie 

 caught by the hand. The chirping of the Corncrake, when in 

 confinement, is not unlike that of a chicken ; and the arrp ! 

 shnarrp .' of the male is to me a very pleasant sound, when heard 

 on a calm evening. At pairing time also, they make a purring 

 noise like a cat ; which, if the bird be taken in the hand, will 

 appear to proceed, not from the beak, but the stomach. 



197. THE WATER BAIL. 



Ralius Porzana, LIN. Petite Rale d'eau, ou Maronette, BUF. Die Mitllere 



Wasser Ralle, BECH. 



Description. This bird is about the size of a Quail, and re- 

 sembles the foregoing in form and habits. The beak and feet 



