508 LAND-RAIL. 
it is of regular passage in spring and again in autumn; not nest- 
ing, I believe, below the line of the Pyrenees, but continuing its 
course to the central and northern districts, or even the Arctic 
circle. In Asia it is found as far east as the Lena, though not 
recorded from China or Japan; Dr. Scully obtained an example at 
Gilgit in October; and it breeds in Western Turkestan. In winter 
it visits Arabia, while in Africa it is found down to Natal and 
occasionally in Cape Colony. 
The nest, composed of bits of dry plants and herbage, is generally 
among long meadow-grass, where the mowing-machine plays havoc 
with sitting birds and eggs; but it is not infrequently in standing 
corn or clover, and thus escapes notice until the brood is safe. The 
7-10 eggs are usually laid towards the end of May or early in June, 
and are pale reddish-white, spotted with grey and rufous-brown: 
measurements 1°45 by 11 in. The ‘creaking’ call-note uttered 
by the male—especially towards evening—can easily be imitated 
by passing the edge of the thumb-nail across the teeth of a 
comb, and by this means the bird may be lured to within a 
short distance: the ventriloquial powers attributed to this species 
are, In my opinion, due to the rivalry of two birds, as well as 
the marvellous rapidity with which the Land-Rail sneaks, unper- 
ceived, from one spot to another. It does not take wing readily, 
and flies slowly, with its legs hanging down; while, if closely 
pressed, and especially if wounded, it will elude even a dog by 
climbing among tangled bushes, and when captured it will not 
infrequently feign death: a device common to other members of 
the family. The food consists of worms, slugs, insects, small 
lizards, plants, seeds &c.; the flesh is highly esteemed for the table. 
The adult male has ash-grey patches above each eye and on the 
cheeks; feathers of the upper parts yellowish-brown with dark 
centres ; wing-coverts and quills chestnut; throat white; breast 
greyish-buff; belly nearly white in the centre, the flanks broadly 
barred with cinnamon-brown and buff; bill, legs and feet pale 
brown. Length ro’s in.; wing 5°25 in. Females are rather smaller, 
and, like the young of the year, have the grey on the head and the 
chestnut on the wings less pronounced ; the male loses the grey on 
the head and flanks after the autumn complete moult, but assumes 
that colour in spring. The nestlings, which are at first covered 
with black down, are able to fly in about six weeks. The usual 
weight of an adult is 6-7 ozs., but a bird of nearly 9 ozs. is on 
record. Albinoes and other varieties are sometimes met with. 
