176 
A CLOSE HIDER. 
flat, on purpose that it might make its way easier among 
the stiff reeds and grassy undergrowth of the moist places 
which it frequents. The length of this bird is about eleven 
and a half inches. The legs are long and strong, and set far 
back on the bod}^, the upper parts of which are of an olive 
colour, prettily mottled and streaked with dusky ; the fore- 
neck and breast are purplish grey, and the sides and abdomen 
black and white, arranged in bars. 
Although well known as a British species, this is not 
very abundant here, and its retired habits make it seem 
less so than it really is. Yarrell describes it as found in 
the marshy districts, and delighting to dwell among the rank 
vegetation of fens, shallow pools, and water-courses, from 
which it can scarcely be driven to take wing. If obliged 
to fly, to secure itself from being caught by an eager dog in 
close pursuit, its progress through the air is slow, with the 
legs hanging down ; and'it drops again on the nearest bed of 
reeds, flags, or rushes that is likely, from its size or density, 
to afford security. 
The nest of this bird is rarely found. It is composed of 
coarse grass and sedge, and placed among the thickest 
aquatic plants. The eggs are from four to six in number, 
white, or of a light cream colour, sjDCckled with ash-grey 
and red-brown. For food it takes worms, snails, slugs, 
&c., and some vegetables. 
The following description of its habits is by Eusticus : — 
We have the Water-rail common enough about Godalming. Those 
who have crossed the sea, return before the 'Land-rail' or *daker' by 
a.bout ten days. We expect the Water-rail on the 7th, the Land- 
rail on the 17th of April, and both keep their time with most com- 
mendable punctuality. The Water-rail's haunt near the town is 
usually called the ' Withy-beds,' low swampy covers, full of willows, 
alders, and coarse sedge and grass, that run along the side of the 
Wey, between the wharf and Sweetapple's paper mill at Catteshall. 
A second place he condescends to patronise is a swampy cover 
by the river at Godbold's, among highish trees, and a third is the 
willow-bed at the top of Ocford water. I have no doubt that the 
AVater-rail breeds in all these places, for in all of them you may con- 
tinually hear that strange, wild, powerful, shrill, half-whistling kind 
of a call, which he utters in the breeding season : a call, by the way, 
that used sorely to plague me, until I saw the bird actually uttei^it. 
I once heard it so distinct and loud that I was sure the bird was ciose 
