398 GALLINULE. 



a few dry plants, and lays ten or twelve eggs, one inch and a half 

 in length, not unlike those of a Missel Thrush, of a reddish, cine- 

 reous white, marked with a few blotches, and others of a pale reddish 

 ash-colour; the young are at first covered with a blackish down, and 

 run soon after they are hatched : the old birds run fast, but fly 

 awkwardly, and with the legs hanging down, as the Common Rail. 

 The usual note, especially on their first coming, is not unlike the 

 noise made by drawing the nail over the teeth of a comb, and has 

 been compared to the word Crek, crek, crek, often repeated, whence 

 it has gained the name of Corn Crake. The food is grain, and 

 seeds of many sorts, also insects. On their first appearing in England 

 are so lean, as to weigh no more than six ounces, but will often 

 increase to eight before they leave us, and gain so much fat, as to 

 exude through the skin like oil, soon after the bird is killed : the 

 flesh is esteemed an exquisite morsel. Mr. White observes, that 

 as the gizzard was found filled with small shell snails, some whole, 

 and no gravel ; and the craw, or crop, lax, containing a mucus; the 

 bird might be dressed with the entrails in, as the Woodcock. It has 

 been said, that wherever Quails are in plenty, the Crakes are more 

 common,! at least it is so observed in the temperate parts of Russia 

 and Siberia, % where they are sufficiently known : are found as far 

 north as Norway ; and not uncommon in Germany, France, Italy, 

 and Spain ; and although from the shortness of the wings in this 

 bird, it should seem incapable of migrating from this kingdom ; yet 

 certain it is, that it makes its appearance first in Spain and Gibraltar, 

 in September, which is about the time it leaves England, and continues 

 there till December.§ It is said to be found at Aleppo || in spring 

 and autumn, but only on the passage north and south; and we have 

 seen it more than once in drawings from India, but whether it is 

 common there we have not learned. 



* Nat. Calendar, p. 68. f Hence called the King of the Quails. 



X Particularly about the Steppes of Sysran, and other Deserts ; they make a great noise 

 at night, and are known by the names of Dergun and Korastel. — Dec. Russ. i. 470. 

 § White. || Russ. Alep. p. 64. 



