CHAPTER XII 



THE RAIL FAMILY 



Well concealed in the very depth of some tuft 

 of aquatic vegetation, with a run to it, in and out, 

 and so hidden by the tangle as to be most difficult 

 for ordinary searchers to find, is the nest of the 

 Water-rail. The eggs, which vary from six to 

 eight in number, are of a cream ground, spotted 

 thickly at the upper end with rusty red and faint 

 grey spots, and at the smaller end finely and 

 thinly spotted with the same colours. The yolk 

 is a bright blood-red. 



The form of this prince of skulkers — Skiddy-cock, 



Runner, Billcock, Skit Runner, Brook Runner, 



Velvet Runner (for he owns no fewer than all these 



local titles) — is most admirably suited for the life he 



leads, that of threading his way through tangled and 



matted swamp growth. In fact the bird might be 



called a living, feathered wedge, as where his bill 



and head will go, his body follows. When he is 



put up, or, as one might say, out of his haunts, the 



bird's flight is slow and awkward, with the legs 



dangling. I have seen him go at a great pace 



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