184 Commander H. Lynes on a 



their Rail-like flight they only flew a very short distance, 

 and the whole party shot in about ten minutes. 



Crex crex (L.). 



The Corn-Crake was only observed in Egypt, where in its 

 modes of migration, passage-dates, time ot arrival, &c., it 

 almost exactly resembled the Quail; but the number of 

 Corn-Crakes was perhaps only one twentieth of that of the 

 Quails, and more seemed to stay for the winter. 



In appearance, when coming to land after its over-sea 

 passage, the Corn-Crake looks just like a rather dark- 

 coloured big Quail with a long thick neck, the legs not 

 being visible, and the speed being apparently the same. 



Like the Quail, Corn-Crakes on migration frequently 

 alight in very odd places, about buildings and on board 

 ship, and one was seen perched at the top of a tall Aleppo 

 pine-tree. 



About sunset the Corn-Crakes seemed to get lively 

 and were to be seen running about in the open, as it' 

 preparatory to a meal and continuation of the migration- 

 flight. 



PORZANA PORZANA (L.). 



The Spotted Crake was first observed in Egypt on 

 20th September ; throughout October, November, and 

 December examples were flushed now and again, shewing it 

 to be a winter visitor. 



At the end of March the Malta market had numbers of 

 Spotted Crakes, which probably had been procured in the 

 island. 



Rallus aquaticus L. 



In Egypt the Water-Rail was found to be a winter visitor 

 in moderate numbers, arriving about 20th September. 

 After this date, although never plentiful, they were frequently 

 flushed, chieHy at sunrise or sunset, but their presence was 

 more often revealed by their extraordinary squeaks and 

 grunts issuing from the marshy undergrowth. 



On two occasions Water-Rails were almost certainly 



