Birds. 1131 



Pochard, Anas ferina. Migrates with all the preceding ducks, but 

 is more common than any. 



Tufted Duck, Anasfuligtda. Arrives at the end of March and re- 

 turns in October : is common in Provence. 



Common Scoter, Anas nigra. Only appears with very cold weather. 



Smew, Mergus albellus. Appears to winter here. 



Common Cormorant, Carlo Cormoranus. Appears on our ponds 

 in winter, but few in number. 



J. Duval-Jouve. 



Grasse, July 16, 1845. 



Notes on the Birds of Belgium. By M. Julian Deby. 



(Continued from page 1072). 



Division VI. 



Group b. 



Corn Crake, Crex pratensis. Comes and leaves at the same time 

 as the quail. It nestles commonly in damp pastures, and the young, 

 generally from six to ten in number, run about as soon as they are 

 born. The peasantry call this bird the King of the quails, {Konig 

 der quakkel). 



Spotted Crake, Ortygometra porzana. Is common in marshes, 

 lakes and reedy ponds. This pretty little crake comes in March and 

 leaves in October. This species dives and swims well, but is seldom 

 seen in open water, being naturally very shy ; I have, however, often 

 observed it flying over the surface of a pond in my neighbourhood, 

 and resting on the broad leaves of the water-lily, which scarcely bent 

 under its weight. It lays six or eight eggs, of a pale brown colour, 

 with speckles of different intensity of a deeper brown. 



Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus. Common in all stagnant waters. 

 This species is remarkably quick in its motions ; one that I kept for 

 some time in a room, would run round and round, jumping or rather 

 scrambling over chairs, tables, closets &c, with such rapidity that the 

 eye could scarcely follow its movements. It comes in March and 

 leaves in the first months of autumn. This rail lays from seven to ten 

 eggs, which are rather large, yellowish, and spotted with brown. 



Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus. Nestles and lives in reedy lakes 

 and marshes : very common. The migrations of this bird are only 

 partial, many being seen all the year round on unfrozen waters. The 

 habits of this species are too well known to need repetition. 



