BRITISH BIRDS* 
312 
it among others, to which, in molt refpe&s, it 
bears a flrong affinity. It makes its appearance 
about the fame time with the Quail, and frequents 
the fame places, from whence it is called, in fome 
countries, the king of the Quails, Its well-known 
cry is firfl heard as foon as the grafs becomes long 
enough to afford it fhelter, and continues till the 
time it is cut, but is feldom feen; it conflantly 
fkulks among the thickeft part of the herbage, and 
runs fo nimbly through it, winding and doubling in 
every direction, that it is difficult to come near it ; 
when hard puihed by the dog, it fometimes flops 
ihort and fquats down, by which means, its too 
eager purfuer overfhoots the fpot, and lofes the 
trace. It feldom fprings but when driven to ex- 
tremity, and generally flies with its legs hanging 
down, but never to a great diflance : As foon as it 
alights it runs off, and before the fowler has reach- 
ed the fpot, the bird is at a confiderable diflance. 
‘—The Corn-crake leaves this ifland in winter, 
and repairs to other countries in fearch of food, 
which confifls of worms, Hugs, and infedts ; it 
likewife feeds on feeds of various kinds : It is ve- 
ry common in Ireland, and is feen in great num- 
bers in the ifland of Anglefea in its paffage to that 
country. On its firfl arrival in England it is fo 
lean as to weigh lefs than fix ounces, from whence 
one would conclude that it muff have come from 
diftant parts ; before its departure, however, it has 
been known to exceed eight ounces, and is then 
