170 BIRD GALLERY. 



British Islands, in the north of Ireland and in parts of Scotland and he 

 adjacent islands. The plumage of the sexes is similar, but the female 

 is somewhat smaller than the male. When nesting, this species, unlike 

 the Black-throated Diver, prefers the small lochs and pools, and is 

 seldom found on the larger lochs, except when in search of fish, on which 

 it chiefly feeds. Little or no nest is made, and the two large olive-brown 

 eggs, spotted with dai'k brown, are placed on the bare and often wet 

 ground close to the water's edge. The male shares the duties of 

 incubation. 



Sutherlandshire, May. 



Presented by G. A. St. Quintin ^ W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Esqrs. 



No. 91. TVATER-RAIL. (Rallus aquaticus.) 



In the marshy districts of the British Islands this species may be 

 regarded as a resident, for though some of our native birds move south- 

 ward in autumn, their place is taken by others from the Continent. 

 Worms, molluscs, and aquatic plants form its principal food. The 

 nest, made of flat leaves of reeds and sedges, is well concealed among 

 rushes or coarse herbage. The eggs, from seven to eleven in number, 

 are pale creamy-white spotted with reddish-brown and ash-grey. The 

 young, when first hatched, are covered with black down. Two broods 

 are produced in a season. 



Co. Waterford, April. 

 Presented by R. J. Ussher, Esq. 



No. 92. LAND-RAIL or CORN-CRAKE. (Crex crex.) 



This well-known visitor arrives in the south of England about the 

 end of April and, as a rule, takes its departure before the end of 

 September. During the summer months it is widely distributed 

 throughout the British Islands, wherever grass-land and cultivated 

 fields are to be found. Owing to its retiring habits it is seldom seen ; 

 but the harsh call-note of the male must be familiar to most people. 

 Slugs, insects and worms, as well as seeds, etc., form the principal food. 

 The nest, composed of pieces of dry plants, is placed on the ground 

 among grass, clover, or standing crops. From seven to ten bufB- 

 coloured eggs, spotted with pale lavender and reddish-brown, are laid 

 about the end of May. 



The plant with the yellow flower is the Meadow Vetchling [Lathyrus 

 pratensis). 



Perthshire, June. 



Presented by W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Esq. 



