MOOR-HEN 199 
generally first heard towards the end of April (Mr. Kermode 
notes it on 16th April (1888), the earliest date known to 
me), and in the first week of May the familiar note, in 
itself harsh and wearisome, but pleasant by association 
with the fairest season of the year, becomes general over 
the land. It is specially incessant during the evening 
twilight, recalling its vocalisation by a Manx farmer 
(whether following tradition, I do not know) as ‘ Late, late.’ 
The bird is said to be found also on the Calf. (Mr. Crellin 
says it was first heard there in 1899.) It is included in 
our earlier, as in our present, Game Act; but in 1903 none 
are registered. 
The departure of the Corncrake, now silent, is less 
noticeable than its arrival, but a specimen is occasionally 
met with in winter; thus one was seen, and almost caught, 
at Harcroft, near Douglas, on 23rd November 1893. 
The Land-rail is common in Ireland, and occasionally 
occurs in winter. It abounds in Wigtownshire, and in 
Kirkeudbrightshire, Mr. Service remarks, is to be heard ‘in 
every field.” In Cumberland and Lancashire it is usually 
common, but found to vary,as above noted, in different 
years. It is very abundant in Lleyn. It is found in all 
the outer groups of the Scottish isles. In Orkney it is said 
to have decreased. It is distributed over Britain, but is 
somewhat local. 
GALLINULA CHLOROPUS (Linn.). 
MOOR-HEN. 
WatTER-HEN. Manx, *Kiark-ushtey (M.S. D.)=Water-hen. (‘A 
Coot,’ Cr.) (Cf. Sc. Gaelic and Irish, Ceare uisge.) 
Though common in suitable localities, the Water-hen is 
in Man by no means the familiar object of rural life that 
