534 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



The Crakes are distinguished from the Waterhens and the Coots hy 

 having the forehead covered with feathers to the base of the bill, and by 

 having no lateral membranes to the toes. From the Rails, to which they 

 are very nearly allied, they may be distinguished by the bill being shorter 

 instead of longer than the head. 



There are about twenty-five species of Crakes, which are distributed 

 throughout the Old World with the exception of the Arctic Region. Four 

 species are European, all of which are summer visitors to the British 

 Islands, occasionally remaining during winter. 



The Crakes do not differ in their habits, nidification, or in the colour of 

 their eggs from the Rails. 



WILLOW-GROTJSE. 



