62 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



Time during which the Corn Crake may be taken.— 



August ist to March ist ; otherwise by authority of owner or 

 occupier of land. 



Habits. — The migrations of the Land Rail, or Corn Crake, 

 both in spring and autumn, extend over a remarkable length of 

 time. The bird begins its entry into Europe as early as February, 

 and continues to arrive through March and April until nearly the 

 end of May. It arrives in the south of our islands towards the 

 end of April, but in the northern districts it is a week or so later. 

 Its return migration in autumn begins in August and September, 

 and lasts over October. The haunts of the Corn Crake are hay 

 meadows and grain fields, both dry and swampy localities being 

 frequented, the bird showing little or no partiality in this respect. 

 Soon after its arrival, it wanders about a good deal, and then 

 frequently visits less suitable places, or remains in them from 

 necessity until the cover in its more usual haunts is sufficiently 

 dense. No bird is more skulking in its habits, or more loth to 

 take wing. It always prefers to hide in the dense cover and to 

 remain motionless until the danger has passed, or to run with 

 wonderful speed to a safe nook. The arrival of the Corn Crake 

 is very soon proclaimed by the bird's rasping cry, which sounds 

 from the meadows most persistently, especially during night. 

 This loud, harsh note, which I consider is confined to the male, 

 may be easily imitated by drawing a knife-blade smartly across 

 the teeth of a stout comb. It is usually uttered twice, one after 

 the other, then a pause, and then again repeated. I have known 

 this species call as it flew from one field to another, evidently 

 under sexual excitement, and eager either to meet a female or a 

 rival. The note ceases in August, and for the remainder of its 

 stay the Corn Crake is a silent bird. Soon after arrival this bird 

 wanders about from farm to farm, especially at night, and seems 

 to be exploring all the country-side in quest of a suitable haunt. 

 When once this choice is made, however, the bird rarely wanders 

 more than a field or so from home until it departs south in 

 autumn. The Corn Crake lives upon the ground, keeping close 

 to the herbage, and only venturing into the open when all is 

 quiet. It is flushed with the greatest difficulty, rarely indeed a 

 second time, and flies in a slow, laboured manner, with legs held 



