The AVater Rail is but 
seldom seen, partly because 
it really is not very plentiful, 
and partly on account of its 
shy and retiring habits, and 
its powers of concealment. 
It frequents ponds, lakes, and 
similar localities, haunting 
those places where luxuriant 
reed-beds afford it shelter and 
covert. On the least alarm 
it sets off for the place of 
refuge, diving to a consider- 
able distance and always 
pressing towards the reeds, 
through which it glides with 
wonderful address, and is 
immediately out of danger. 
Even a trained dog can hardly 
Hush a AVater Rail when once it has reached its reedy refuge. The food of the 
Water Rail consists of insects, worms, leeches, molluscs, and similar creatures. 
CORNCRAKE, OR LANDRAIL . — Ortygometra ere a. 
The well-known Corncrake, or Landrail, is common in almost every part of 
the British Islands, its rough grating call being heard wherever the hay-grass is 
long enough to hide the utterer. 
WATER RAIL . — Rallies aquaticus. 
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