120 CRAKE GALLINULE. Class IL 



They agree in their aversion to flight ; and the 

 legs, which are remarkably long for the size of 

 the bird, hang down whilst they are on the 

 wang ; they trust their safety to their swiftness 

 of foot, and seldom are sprung a second time 

 but with great difficulty. The Land Rail lays 

 from twelve to twenty eggs, of a dull white co- 

 lor, marked with a few yellow spots; notwith- 

 standing this apparent prolificness, they are not 

 very numerous in this kingdom. Their note is 

 singular, resembling the word Cre.v often re- 

 peated. They are in greatest plenty in Angle- 

 sey, where they appear about the twentieth of 

 April, supposed to pass over from Ireland, 

 where they abound: at their first arrival it is 

 common to shoot seven or eight in a morning. 

 They are found in most of the Hebrides, and 

 the Orknies. On their arrival they are very 

 lean, weighing only six ounces; but before they 

 leave this island, grow so fat as to weigh above 

 eight. 

 Descrip- The feathers on the crown of the head, hind 

 part of the neck, and the back, are black, edged 

 with bay-color ; the coverts of the wings are of 

 the same color, but not spotted ; the tail is short, 

 and of a deep bay; the belly white; the legs 

 ash- colored. 



TION. 



