THE SPOTTED CRAKE. 

 Porzana maruetta (Leach). 

 Plate 59. 



The Spotted Crake is best known as a summer visitant to our islands ; a few 

 remain, however, throughout the winter months. 



In Europe it breeds in localities suited to its habits, from Norway and Russia, 

 southwards to the Mediterranean countries, also in North Africa and many parts of 

 Asia, whilst it spends the winter in Africa and India. 



The nest is built among dense aquatic vegetation in swamps, and is composed of 

 flags and such-like material, with a lining of fine grasses ; it contains from eight to 

 ten eggs, usually a pale buff in ground-colour, blotched and spotted with rusty- 

 brown and marked with shades of grey. 



The late Lord Lilford says {Birds of Northamptonshire and Neighbourhood), 

 " In general habits of skulking and concealment this Crake much resembles the 

 Land-Rail, but it is more strictly aquatic, swimming, and even diving, when 

 pressed by a dog, with great ease and rapidity ; its flight also is quicker than that 

 of the Corn-Crake, and it takes wing more readily than that bird." 



The female resembles the male in colour, but is slightly duller. 



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