2 
SPOTTED CRAKE. 
by tlie most villanous-looking representative of the genus Canis that has ever come under my observation, 
ibis ungainly quadruped (apparently a cross between a Sussex sheep-dog and a rough terrier) having taken up 
an attitude intended for a point by the side of the dyke, intently regarding the surface of the water, its master 
“ the looker * declared that the bird was concealed near at hand, and, turning up his sleeves, groped 
into the weeds at the bottom, bringing up the object of our search at the second attempt. These Crakes, I 
learned from the man, were by no means uncommon in this locality at certain seasons ; he also described 
another species, somewhat similar in colouring, but not above half the size, of which his dog had at different 
times brought him three or four specimens. Not having the slightest doubt that the unknown would prove 
to be Baillon’s Crake, I requested the man to let me know immediately any of these diminutive Crakes were met 
with, giving him special orders not to destroy them. The folloAving spring I was again shooting over the level and 
adjoining marshes, and on making inquiries concerning these birds, the “ looker ” stated that, shortly after my 
last visit, his dog turned savage, and he was foi’ccd to shoot it ; since that time not a single Crake (large or 
small) had come under his observation f . 
On the rondes and hovers of the flat marshy districts of the east of Norfolk I occasionally met with 
nests of eggs or broods of young belonging to this species. On the 28th of April, 1873, a nest containing 
eight eggs was pointed out by one of the fenmen, four or five inches below the surface of the water ; the tide 
had risen suddenly, and the floods must have proved destructive to immense numbers of e" 0 's. 
Though I was not so fortunate as to secure a specimen, an undoubted Baillon’s Crake rose at my feet on 
the rondes round the west side of Ileigham Sounds in the autumn of 1872. Both barrels of my gun having 
just been dischaiged, the bird escaped, disappearing from view round a patch of reed before a cartridge could 
be inserted ; to start it again proved an utter failure, though our endeavours were continued for a couple of 
hours. On carefully searching the runs on the soft mud and examining the footprints, undoubted signs were 
found that at least two of these Crakes had lately resorted to that portion of the swamp. Two dozen and a 
half small traps were set as speedily as possible ; but owing to the numbers of Coots and Moorhens frequenting 
the spot, it Avas impossible to keep them in working order. On our first visit but two traps out of thirty were 
unsprung ; no precautions having been taken to secure captives so strong as Coots, these powerful birds had 
in many instances dragged the pegs and made off. Even after working over the adjacent reed-beds and hovers 
with the assistance of dogs for several hours, three or four traps still remained undiscovered; a second setting 
having also resulted in a failure from the same cause, the attempt to secure the bird in this manner was 
relinquished. 
* Largo numbers of cattle, often from some distance inland, were annuaUy sent down to fatten on Pevensey Level ; while feeding on the 
marshes they were watched over by natives of the district, who wore known as “ lookers.” 
t In out-of-the-way parts of the country the natives fro(iuontly express their ideas in a quaint and singular manner. The “ looker ” informed 
me that his dog “ got bitten.” A stranger would naturally suppose the man meant that the animal was the sufferer, whereas he intended to imply 
that it was the aggressor. ^ ^ 
