108 RALLID.E. 



ally placed among the standing grass that is allowed to re- 

 main undisturbed for hay, and consequently on an average 

 just long enough to allow the young brood to run about. 

 In our part of the country (Chertsey) the Landrail is very 

 plentiful, particularly on what is called Chertsey mead, and 

 we have the opportunity of watching the birds' 1 habits in per- 

 fection : but the number of them is not the same every year, 

 which we attribute to the wind and weather they meet with 

 during their migrations. The slightest obstacle will induce 

 the Landrail to remain on the south side of the Channel to 

 breed, such as a sudden change of wind, or cold weather 

 setting in. The numbers that are here this year are less than 

 usual on the mead, which may be owing to a high flood that 

 occurred later than usual in the spring, and we are the more 

 induced to believe the correctness of this supposition as we 

 have obtained information from a friend, who resides on higher 

 ground, that he has some of these birds in his fields where he 

 has never before known them to be. 



The habits of the Landrail are peculiar to itself, it skulks 

 at all times and hides so cleverly, that, if it were not for its 

 call-note, few individuals would ever be aware of its presence ; 

 its narrow shape enables it to run through the thickest her- 

 bage with a velocity that outdoes the rapidity of many a 

 dog, who has no other means of following up this game but 

 by continually jumping over the grass. We have many a 

 time gone in pursuit of the bird with one of the best nosed 

 dogs imaginable, but the Landrail could generally foil the 

 animal by doubling among the grass. The best mode of 

 obtaining the bird is to leave it unmolested until all the 

 grass is cut but a small portion, and then hunt this over care- 

 fully and silently, load the gun with a small charge of powder 

 and No. 8 shot, and fire at it as soon as it rises from the 

 ground ; the flight of the Landrail is slow and close to the 



