120 
DeEscrIP- 
TION. 
CRAKE GALLINULE. = Crass Il. 
They agree in their aversion to flight; and the 
legs, which are remarkably long for the size of - 
the bird, hang down whilst they are on the 
wing; they trust their safety to their swiftness 
of foot, and seldom are sprung a second time 
but with great difficulty. The Land Rail lays 
from twelve to twenty eggs, of a dull white co- 
lor, marked with a few yellow spots; notwith- 
standing this apparent prolificness, they are not 
very numerous in this kingdom. ‘Their note is 
singular, resembling the word Crer often re- 
peated. They are in greatest plenty in Angle- 
sey, where they appear about the twentieth of 
April, supposed to pass over from Ireland, 
where they abound: at their first arrival it is 
common to shoot seven or eight in a morning. 
They are found in most of the Hebrides, and 
the Orknies. On their arrival they are, very ° 
lean, weighing only six ounces; but before they 
leave this island, grow so fat as to weigh above 
eight. 
The feathers on the crown of the head, hind 
part of the neck, and the back, are black, edged 
with bay-color; the coverts of the wings are of 
the same color, but not spotted ; the tail is short, 
and of a deep bay; the belly white; the legs 
ash-colored. 
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