THE HYACINTHINE GALLINULE. 



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croaking all the while, and cany a worm or piece of meat about in its bill. So great a 

 favourite was this Corncrake, that its death was duly chronicled as taking place on the 

 14th of January, 1830, after having been kept for above six years." 



The nest of the Corncrake is placed on the ground, and is made of dried grass 

 arranged in a suitable depression. It generally contains from eight to twelve eggs, of a 

 buffy white covered with rusty brown spots. The shell is rather thick, and the size of the 

 egg large in proportion to the dimensions of the bird. The position of the nest and the 

 lateness of the hatching season expose both mother and young to great danger, as the nest 

 is often laid low and the mother killed by a sweep of the mower's scythe. The parent is 

 very fearless when engaged in incubation ; and on one occasion when a female Corncrake 

 had been severely wounded by a scythe and taken into the farm-house for two hours, she 

 returned to her nest in spite of its shelterless condition and her own wounded state, and 

 was rewarded by the successful rearing of the brood. 



The flesh of the Corncrake is very delicate and well-flavoured. 



CUKNCRAKE, OR hXNBRAlL.—Ortygoinetra crex. 



The upper parts of the body are elegantly mottled with dark blackish brown, ashen, 

 and warm chestnut ; the first tint occupying the centre of each feather, the second the 

 edges, and the third the tips. The wing-coverts are rusty red. The throat and abdomen 

 are white, and the breast is greenish ash, warming into reddish rust striped with white on 

 the sides. In total length the Corncrake is not quite ten inches. 



The Hyacinthine Gallinule is a rather curious example of the next sub-family of 

 the Crakes, being remarkable for the large size of its beak and the length of its toes. AH 

 the species belonging to the genus Porphyrio are fond of the water, although they are 

 oftener sec . on land than is the case with the water-hens. They feed upon seeds and 

 other hard substances, which they crack easily with their powerful bills. Their very long 

 toes enable them to walk upon the floating herbage nearly as well as the Jacauas, and 

 upon land they are very quick of foot. They use their long toes for carrying food to their 

 beak, a habit which has often been observed in the common coot. 



The Hyacinthine Gallinule is spread over a large extent of range, being found in many 

 parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is graceful and quick in its movements, but is said 

 to be rather a stupid bird. Perhaps future observers may give a better account of its 

 intellect. The nest of this species is made in the sedgy parts of the morasses which it 

 frequents, and contains a rather small number of nearly white eggs. 



The colour of the Hyacinthine Gallinule is rich blue, taking a dark indigo tone upon 

 the back, and assuming a beautiful turquoise hue upon the head, neck, throat, and breast. 



