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Genus CBEX. 



Hallus apud Brisson, Orn. v. p. 159 (1760). 



Gallinula apud Latham, Ind. Orn. ii. p. 766 (1790). 



Crex, Bechstein, Gemeinn. Naturg. Deutschl. i. p. 461 (1805). 



Ortygometra apud Leach, Syst. Cat. M. & B. Brit. Mus. p. 34 (1816). 



This genus contains but a single species, our common Corncrake, which inhabits the Paraparetic 

 and Ethiopian Begions, occurring as a very rare straggler in the Nearctic Begion. It differs 

 from the species belonging to the genus Porzana in its habits (for it frequents dry instead of 

 damp localities) as well as in structure. It is usually found in corn-fields, meadows, &c; and, 

 owing to its form, it is able to run amongst the standing corn and high grass with ease. Its 

 call-note is a peculiar harsh call, resembling the sound produced by drawing a stick across a 

 strong comb. It feeds on insects of various kinds, beetles, spiders, flies, and worms. In its 

 nest (which is merely a depression of the ground, sparingly lined with a few straws) it deposits 

 numerous buffy-white eggs blotched and spotted with rufous. The young are able to follow the 

 parent bird immediately they leave the shell, and are soon able to take care of themselves. 



Crex pratensis, the type of the genus, has the bill much shorter than the head, stout, 

 compressed, much higher than broad at the base, considerably decurved, and slightly notched at 

 the tip ; nasal groove very large ; nostrils median, elongated-oblong ; wings rather short, broad, 

 rounded, the first quill about equal to the fourth, the second longest ; tail short, rounded, soft, 

 and weak ; legs stout, moderately long ; tarsus scutellate ; the lower part of the tibia bare for a 

 short distance ; toes rather long and slender ; claws compressed, slender, curved, acute. 



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