176 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



WATKU RAIL AND NEST. 



beds and marshes. For the size of the 

 bird it is a bulky structure, and consists 

 of bits of dead reed, sedge grass and flags. 

 The eggs, which are laid during 

 April, May, June, and sometimes as late 

 as July, number from five to eleven, of 



a creamy white ground colour, marked 

 with reddish spots and underlying dots 

 of grey. Some authorities consider that 

 the species is double brooded. 



Young Water Rails, when hatched, 

 are covered with a soft coat of black 

 down. 



The love of concealment is so great that 

 when a nest is opened out in order that 

 a good view may be obtained of the 

 brooding female, the very first thing she 

 does upon returning is to drag blades of 

 the surrounding vegetation over her 

 body. If this cannot be accomplished 

 to her satisfaction, she will, as my 

 friend, Miss E. L. Turner, has proved 

 by a series of photographs, resort to 

 removing the eggs one by one from 

 the nest. 



If a sudden noise, such as the firing 

 of a gun, be made near to a marsh 

 tenanted by Water Kails, the birds will 

 frequently set up a cry as if in pain. 



