296 



possess considerable power as a ventriloquist, as it is most difficult to judge where the bird is by its 

 note, which is now loud, now low, as if quite close or at a considerable distance. When uttering 

 its cry the bird usually stands still, the neck rather drawn in ; but sometimes it calls as it moves 

 leisurely along. Bechstein relates that a pair which he kept in confinement used to nestle close 

 to each other and utter a low purring note, something like the purr of a cat. It is a very shy 

 bird, and evades observation as much as possible, always slipping away to dense cover when 

 disturbed. Its movements, when not alarmed, are graceful and elegant. It moves sedately, 

 lifting its feet rather high, jerking its tail, and moving its head backwards and forwards. When 

 alarmed it stops, crouches, and then starts off with extended neck and body thrown forward, and 

 is soon out of danger. 



It feeds on insects of various kinds, especially lepidoptera, small beetles, spiders, small flies, 

 and worms, and frequently gorges itself with the latter. A few small stones or some coarse sand 

 are generally found in its stomach, but seldom any vegetable matter. 



Very shortly after the Land-Rail arrives at its breeding-haunts it commences the business of 

 nidification. The nest, which is usually in a clover-field, a meadow, or a corn-field, is a mere 

 hollow in the ground lined with a few straws ; and the eggs, from eight to twelve in number, are 

 usually deposited in June ; and, as a rule, unless the first nest is destroyed, it is said not to breed 

 twice in the season. The young as soon as they emerge from the shell leave the nest and follow 

 their mother, and in a few days are able to run with celerity and hide with ease when any 

 danger threatens. 



The eggs of the present species much resemble those of the Water-Rail, but are, as a rule, 

 rather larger in size, paler in coloration, and more profusely marked. A series in my collection 

 vary in size from 1^§ by l^- - to lf§ by 1^ inch, and are stone-white in colour, marked with 

 pale purplish shell-markings, and dark red surface-spots and blotches. 



The specimens figured are those above described in spring plumage, and are in my own 

 collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, b, c, cJ , d, 2 ■ Hampstead, near London, April 28th, 1870. e, ?,/, 6 juv. Hampstead, September (Davy). 

 g,pull. Boel, Jutland (Benzori). 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 

 a, 2 . Park Hatch, Surrey, September 1865. b, 6 . Bodo, Norway, June 20th, 1857 (F. D. Godman). 



E Mus. Brit. Beg. 



a, d . Mount Hermon (Tristram), b. Tehran, Persia (Major St. John), c. Macamae, Transvaal, Decembe 

 3rd, 1874. d. Natal (Ayres). 



