WATER RAIL. 
193 
black mark in the centre of each : the flanks are deep 
black, transversely rayed with white bars : the under 
tail-coverts are white : the legs are lead-coloured. 
The young of the year have the middle of the belly 
of a brown-red, and are destitute of the white band 
on the sides. 
This bird is not very common in Britain, though 
it is found throughout the country, and continues 
with us all the year : it is said to be very numerous 
in the northern countries of Europe, migrating 
southward during the severity of winter : it is very 
abundant also in Germany, France, and Holland. 
It is a shy and solitary species, affecting low damp 
situations, overgrown with sedges, reeds, and coarse 
herbage, among which it shelters, and is seldom put 
to flight unless pressed by the dogs, rather depending 
on its legs for safety ; but when once flushed it is 
easily shot, as it flies in a heavy and awkward manner, 
with its legs hanging down : it runs, however, very 
quickly, and frequently flits up its tail. It swims, 
and even dives well occasionally ; but it delights in 
shallow water where it can wade through without 
swimming. Its nest is constructed of sedges and 
coarse grass, amongst the thickest aquatic plants : 
it lays from six to ten eggs, of a yellowish colour, 
spotted with red-brown. Its principal food consists 
of worms, slugs, and insects. 
V. XII. p. I. 
IS 
