SPOTTED CKAKE. 117 



GRALLATORES. RALLID/F. 



PLATE CCVIII. 



SPOTTED CRAKE. 



CREX PORZANA. 



The Spotted Crake, although considered a summer visi- 

 tant in Great Britain, occurs more frequently in milder 

 climates than in our own ; and the exceeding stealthiness 

 of its habits, combined with its actual rarity, concur to render 

 it a bird very seldom obtained. The most northern lati- 

 tude of this species in Europe is the central part of Sweden, 

 from whence it extends over all the southern countries of 

 the European continent, occurring more plentifully on ap- 

 proaching the south and south-east. In Asia it is variously 

 distributed according to the temperature of the land, and 

 it has frequently been obtained from Africa. 



The locality frequented by the Spotted Crake is flat, low, 

 and marshy land, particularly where the ground is well 

 covered with flags and sedges ; and in countries whose climate 

 suits this species it is very plentiful. 



The middle of March is the time when this species begins 

 to migrate northward from its winter retreat in Italy, Greece, 

 Turkey, and the opposite shores of the Mediterranean. Like 

 many other species of birds, this also chooses the night for 

 its time of migration. 



There is little doubt that the Spotted Crake breeds in 



VOL. V.' L 



