THE LANDRAIL OR CORNCRAKE. 293 



do not remember to have heard of such an in- 

 stance, and, so far as one's knowledge of the bird 

 extends, it seems far more probable that it 

 seeks holes in banks and old walls merely for 

 shelter and warmth, in the neighbourhood of 

 which it contrives to find sufficient nourishment 

 to keep it alive, until such time as the increasing 

 warmth of spring brings increase of insects and 

 molluscous food. An examination of the ali- 

 mentary system of the Water-rail [Rallus aqua- 

 ticus) shows that this bird is no better fitted 

 to withstand an English winter than its cousin 

 the Landrail, and yet it is frequently found by 

 sportsmen upon Snipe-ground at the height of 

 the cold season. Its good condition too at this 

 time testifies to there being a sufficient supply of 

 food, which should be equally obtainable by the 

 Landrail. 



The nature of this food is miscellaneous — 

 slugs and snails of several species, small fresh- 

 water moUusca, worms, leeches, beetles, the 

 seeds of various weeds, and tips of grass blades; 

 in addition to which the stomach is usually 



