WATER-RAIL. 



RALLUS AQUATICUS, Linn. 



Rallus aquaticus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 262 (17G6) ; Nairn, ix. 

 p. 472 ; Macy. iv. p. 521 ; Hewitson, ii. p. 373 ; Yarr. 

 ed. 4, iii. p. 159; Dresser, vii. p. 257. 



Rale d'euu, French; Wasser-Ralle, German; Rased a, 

 Polla de agua, Spanish. 



To those of my readers who have pursued Snipes or 

 Ducks in any of the marshes of Europe, it would, I 

 think, be superfluous to go into details as to the habits 

 of this well-known bird, which is more or less common 

 in soft places throughout the Continent and our own 

 Islands. In localities where the Water-Rail does not 

 breed it is best known as an autumnal migrant, and is 

 probably considered as much less common than it really 

 is, owing to its skulking habits and aversion to take 

 wing. The nest of this bird is a well-arranged mass 

 of dead flags, sedge, and reed-leaves, generally placed 

 amongst thick aquatic vegetation, very often in dense 

 beds of reed. The eggs are generally from eight to 

 ten in number, and in colour and markings somewhat 

 resemble those of the Corn-Crake, but are rounder in 

 shape ; the first broods generally leave the nest before 



