LITTLE CKAKE. 



CREX PUSILLA (Bechst.). 



Gallinula pusillus, Bechst. Orn. Taschenb. ii. p. 340 (1803). 

 Crex pusilla, Naum. ix. p. 547; Macg. iv. p. 541. 

 Porzana parva, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 148 ; Dresser, vii. p. 283. 



Poule d'eau poussin, French ; Kleines Sumpfhuhn, German ; 

 Polluela chica, Spanish. 



This Crake is a rare visitor to our country, and, 

 although it appears to have been more frequently met 

 with than Baillon's Crake, I find no record of its having 

 nested in England, as that species undoubtedly has. 

 I have no acquaintance with this bird, whose habits in 

 all probability closely resemble those of its congeners ; 

 but it is said to be more strictly aquatic than any other 

 of the true Crake-family. 



The figures in the Plate are taken from an adult and 

 an immature bird sent to me from the great marshes in 

 the neighbourhood of Valencia, where this Crake is 

 abundant. 



