Order GRALLi^;. Sub-order FULICARIii; 



Family RALLID-^. 



THE LAND-RAIL. 



Crex pratensis, Bechstein. 

 Plate 59. 



The Land-Rail or Corn-Crake is a regular summer visitant to the British Islands, 

 usually arriving in the southern parts of England towards the end of April, and in 

 Scotland, including the Shetlands and Outer Hebrides, in May. It appears to be 

 less common now than it was some years ago, especially in south-eastern England, 

 without any apparent cause for this diminution. 



In summer the Land-Rail has a wide range over Europe, migrating as far to 

 the north as Scandinavia, and eastwards to the Yenisei, and possibly as far as the 

 Lena, in Siberia, whilst in winter it retires to Africa. 



The nest, composed of a few stalks of dead grass or other herbage, and placed 

 in some depression in the ground, amidst growing corn, hay-fields, or other thick 

 cover, contains from eight to twelve eggs, creamy-white in colour, spotted and 

 marked with reddish-brown and grey. 



This species feeds chiefly on slugs, worms, and various insects, varying its diet 

 with seeds and plants. 



The harsh and rather monotonous cry, often heard during the daytime as well as 

 by night, can be so closely imitated by drawing a quill rapidly over the teeth of a 

 comb, that the bird may sometimes be lured from its hiding-place. 



In its habits the Land- Rail is shy and retiring, and is comparatively seldom 

 seen. In the lowlands of Scotland, its favourite haunts are the hay-fields of tall 

 rye-grass or growing corn, where it finds concealment, and seldom flies unless com- 

 pelled to do so by necessity. 



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