WAITE; VERTEBRATES OF THE WESTERN AINSTY, 105 
Perdix cinerea Lath. Partridge. Resident and abundant 
throughout the district. If a sitting Pheasant should be taken 
by the fox, the keepers sometimes place the eggs under a 
Partridge, which usually rears the young successfully. 
Coturnix communis Bonnat. Quail. Summer visitant. The 
district is pyeatiend interesting, as being annually favoured by 
visits of the Quail. It has occurred at Wetherby, Boston Spa, 
Collingham, Newton Kyme, and once at Wilstrop. Was par- 
ticularly numerous in the district in August 1848. They bred 
at Collingham in that year, and the Rev. J. W. Chaloner (‘ Field,’ 
Aug. 7th, 1880) states that the Quail bred regularly at Newton 
Kyme up to 1830; and Mr. John Emmet informs me that it did 
so at Boston Spa up to 1881—mentioned as breeding there 
third week in July 1878 (Clarke, Zool., p. 353); a nest with 
eight eggs was found ina field at Boston Spa by the mowers 
during the first week of August, 1879—since which time I 
have not heard of it having done so, although I saw it there in 
1885. 
Crex pratensis Bechst. Land Rail. Corn Crake. Locally, 
Daker Hen. A very common summer visitant, but some years 
not so numerous as others. It breeds regularly throughout the 
district. One was killed at Healaugh by Mr. E. C. Brooksbank 
at a very unusual date, 24th December, 1884 (Chaloner, 
‘Naturalist,’ 1884-5, p. 149). Mr. F. G. Binnie (who formerly 
resided in the Ainsty) tells me that this bird was remarkably 
scarce in 1868, and writes :—‘ The summer was very hot and 
tropical in its character ; pastures were burnt up and ponds 
became dry ; water had to be carted into the fields, and cattle 
fed upon “cake” as in winter. At Tadcaster my father heard 
the Corn Crake only two or three times, and I did not hear it 
once, although in other years it was common enough in the 
meadows around our house. 
The grass-cutting machines prove very destructive to the 
Landrail. Not only are the eggs broken, but both the young 
and old birds are frequently caught by the knives. 
Rallus aquaticus Linn. Water Rail. Resident, but uncommon, 
although perhaps, owing to its skulking habits, much overlooked, 
as it is seldom seen except when flushed by the dog. It has 
occasionally been killed by flying against the telegraph wires. 
Mr. J. R. Hatfeild shot one on the 15th of January last (1891). 
Mr. John Emmet writes :—‘ The Water-rail bred near to Boston 
Spa this year and last year also’ (Naturalist, 1884-5, P- 299). 
April r8qr, 
