away by the rising of the water ; it lays six or seven eggs 
about the size of a blackbird's. The young take to the 
water as soon as hatched, and do not require the future 
care of the parent ; notwithstanding which, they keep 
together till the ensuing autumn. 
We have known this bird to breed in fields to the left of 
the Kent-Road, called Roll's-Meadows ; one of them was 
killed, after which they forsook the spot. 
Few birds run with greater facility than the present, as 
it makes its way through the thickest herbage, or runs on 
the surface of the soft mud ; in the dusk of evening it may 
be seen searching for slugs, worms, or insects, and readily 
discovered by its craking call; it flies badly, though, 
after being repeatedly roused, it will sometimes ascend to 
a considerable height, ^ 
This has generally been considered as a migratory 
species, but we much doubt whether that is the case, as we 
have repeatedly known them exposed for sale on the stalls 
©f the London poulterers during winter, particularly in 
the winter of 1811— 12, On the SOth of December 1811, 
j^ve were for sale at one shop, and we purchased two the 
latter-end of the month following ; in fact, we have heard 
of or seen them almost every month in the year. 
Its provincial names are Spotted Water-Hen, Spotted 
Rail, Lesser Spotted Water-Rail, Skitty, and Water- 
Crake. 
