baillon's crake. 121 



GRA LLA TORES. RALLIDJE 



PLATE CCIX. 



BATLLON^ CRAKE. 



CREX BAILLONH. 



Baillon^ Crake is an occasional visitant in this country, 

 but owing to its crake-like habits it is not frequently seen ; 

 nor is it so much sought after as it might be if the bird were 

 more worth looking for in a profitable point of view. 



The geographical distribution of this Crake is very exten- 

 sive. In France it is by no means uncommon, and is known 

 to breed annually all along the coast. Mr. Baillon, after 

 whom it is named, has met with it in the marshes of Picardy; 

 it also inhabits Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Hungary, and 

 Dalmatia ; and is found on the banks of the Elbe and 

 Saale in Germany. From Africa and Asia several specimens 

 are on record, and they differ in no respect from our own. 

 The localities the bird frequents are the same as those of the 

 spotted crake, namely, low, wet situations by rivers, ditches 

 &c, where the vegetation is thickest, among which it hides 

 and runs with ease, and with an indescribable velocity, owing 

 to its very narrow formation. 



Several specimens have, from time to time, been obtained in 



Britain at most seasons of the year, both in spring, summer, 



and the depth of winter, although it is usually said to be a sum- 



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