ON THE WATER-RAIL. 181 



According to Montagu, it remains in England 

 throughout the year. 



The Reverend Dr Stuart of Luss, in his valu- 

 able catalogue of the animals found in his parish, 

 (Statistical Account, vol. xvii. p. 247.), considers 

 this bird as migratory. It is probable, however, 

 that its scarcity in his country, and its shy habits, 

 have occasioned it to be considered as a summer 

 visitant only. In support of this conjecture, we 

 may mention, that three specimens have occurred 

 to us during the winter season ; the first on the 

 16th November 1803 ; the second, 25th November 

 1807; and the third, 23d January 1818. We are, 

 therefore, disposed to consider it as one of our resi- 

 dent species. 



This species is a native of the Old World. It 

 was first noticed, as an English bird, by Merret ; 

 and, as a native of Scotland, by Pennant. Sibbald, 

 indeed, in his Scotia Illustrata, enumerates the 

 Rallus aquaticus among our northern birds ; but 

 the description which he subjoins, obviously belongs 

 to the common gullinule. 



I shall conclude these observations, by adding a 

 synoptical view of the British species of the family 

 Macrodactylae. 



A. Winglets furnished with a spine. 

 L Rallus. Rail. 



1. Rallus aquaticus. Water-rail. 



