290 OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. 



suggested that the bird hybernates. Writing 

 in the "Zoologist" for 1867, at page 679 he 

 says : " I cannot divest myself of the belief that 

 the Corncrake hybernates, notwithstanding my 

 having found it repeatedly dead in the sea, both 

 during autumn and spring, which many would 

 say should prove migration to the most scep- 

 tical. I do not for one moment doubt that it 

 leaves Ireland in numbers in the autumn, but 

 where does it go ? Does it hybernate where it 

 goes to ? Is it to be met with anywhere in 

 numbers, flying or running, during our winter ? 

 Does it only crake in its spring or summer 

 haunts ? In support of hybernation, we have 

 the great amount of fat, coming on in winter 

 (Corncrakes often burst from fat when they fall 

 on being shot), which all hybernating animals 

 attain ; the number of uninjured and healthy 

 birds found in Ireland during winter, their pecu- 

 liar skulking habits at this season, the old 

 hollow ditches they frequent, their peculiar 

 apathy and disinclination to fly, and their early 

 appearance without 'craking' (I have seen 



