THE LANDRAIL. 



Crex pratensis. 



HE Landrail, or, asit is more com- 

 monly called, the Corncrake, 

 is certainly one of the most 

 timid and shy of our summer 

 visitors. Indeed, were it not 

 for the harsh, creaking note 

 from which one of its names 

 is derived, and its occasional 

 appearance in the poulterer's 

 shop, few persons would be 

 aware of its existence. The 

 bird is evidently no believer 

 in the ancient and respect- 

 able maxim, that " Little 

 people should be seen, and not 

 heard," for its unvarying rule 

 of life is to be heard as much, 

 and seen as seldom, as cir- 

 cumstances will permit. The 

 note of the Landrail is fa- 

 miliar to all who love and 

 frequent the country ; and it 

 commonly happens that, in 

 the calm, still twilight of a 



