118 RALLID.E. 



England ; but on account of the localities it frequents and 

 the usual circumstances that cause those spots to be left 

 undisturbed during the breeding season, it is more difficult 

 to find the nest and eggs than it is to meet with the bird 

 itself: we allude to the circumstance of the meadows being 

 generally left unfrequented until after hay-making, during 

 which time the young of Crakes and many other birds, must 

 have had time to quit the nest. 



In our neighbourhood, birds of the present family are 

 every now and then met with, and a young of the pre- 

 ceding year of the Spotted Crake was shot in April by 

 a person who is exceedingly fond of this sport, and who 

 fires at every bird that gets up, pursuing this pastime through- 

 out the year. A water-spaniel is the best dog for finding 

 this species, as it invariably hides among the tallest and 

 thickest sedges, or among alder and willow bushes during 

 the day : and the most likely spots in which to find it 

 are the thick grassy edges of a ditch : so much does this 

 bird conceal itself among thick foliage, that it is frequently 

 unable to fly up for want of room to expand its wings. 

 On high and dry ground it is in vain to seek for the Spotted 

 Crake, but it is occasionally found in woods and forests 

 where swamps occur. 



When the present species ventures by some chance into 

 open ground during the day, it is seen to run with long 

 strides, and so fast and low to the ground that it resembles 

 more a rat than a long legged bird ; to which resemblance 

 its dark brown colour greatly contributes, and deceives 

 sportsmen who are unacquainted with it. Its very light 

 weight allows the bird to run with ease over the surface of 

 water-plants ; it is also very expert in swimming, which 

 it performs with ease and keeps up with some continuance. 

 When the Spotted Crake is put up by a clog, or otherwise 



