148 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
LAND RAIL. 
CrEx pRATENSIS, Bechst. 
Pl. XXIL, figs. 3, 4. 
Geogr. distr.—Europe generally and Western Asia; extending 
nearly to the Arctic Circle in summer, migrating in the autumn to 
Africa as far southward as the Cape: generally in Great Britain in the 
summer, breeding in any suitable locality: it arrives towards the 
end of April or beginning of May, and leaves us in September or 
October. 
Food.—Insects, especially small Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera 
also spiders and worms. 
Nest.—A mere depressson in the ground lined with a few straws. 
Position of nest.—Usually in a corn or clover field, or meadow. 
Number of eggs.—8-12. 
Time of nidification.—V-V1I; June. 
The Land Rail, or Corn Crake, though a summer visitant 
in our islands, may yet occasionally be seen on bright 
winter days, and more especially in Ireland. Mr. Harting, 
in his ‘Summer Migrants,’ suggests that these winter 
birds may be individuals of a late brood hybernating, that 
is to say in a semi-torpid condition during the dull weather. 
In May and June one may constantly hear the ‘‘ craking ” of 
this bird—a cry resembling the rasping of a file along a 
piece of steel, but rasped in one direction and pulled right 
off at the end “ grrrrrrrv-kin,” and the bird has such ven- 
triloquial power * that it is impossible to tell from what 
direction the sound comes, sometimes sounding half-a-mile 
to the east and the next minute as far to the west. The 
note is frequently duplicated.+ 
As is the case with the Water Rail, the Corn Crake, when 
suddenly surprised and captured, simulates death with 
admirable fidelity, and, according to Mr. M. A. Mathew 
(Zoologist, 1872, p. 8816), it will take to the water and 
swim, after the manner of a Moorhen, taking to flight 
when it supposes itself to be at a safe distance. Unless 
compelled, however, it rarely flies, and, even when startled 
into taking wing, it flutters heavily just above the ground, 
and takes shelter at the first opportunity. 
* This, however, is disputed by some, but so it certainly appears 
to me. 
| The note has been likened to the word “crake,” or “‘crek,” but 
there is always a metallic catch at the end; possibly the sharpness of 
this note may render it inaudible to some ears. 
