BRITISH BIRDS. 
15 
as great an averlion to take flight as that bird, and 
has more of the means in its power of difappoint- 
ing the fportfman. It generally exhaufts his pa- 
tience, and diftradts and mifleads his dog, by the 
length of time to which it can protradl its taking 
wing ; and it feldom rifes until it has croffed every 
pool, and run through every avenue within the cir- 
cuit of its retreats. It is^ however, eafily fhot 
when once flufhed, for it flies but indifferently, with 
its legs dangling down while on the wing. This’ 
bird is not very common in Great Britain, but is 
faid to be numerous in the marfhes of the northern 
countries of Europe, whence, partially and irregular- 
ly, it migrates fouthward, even into Africa, during 
the feverity of the winter feafon. Buffon fays 
they pafs Malta in the fpring and autumn,” and 
to confirm this, adds, that the Vifcount de Quer- 
hoent faw a flight of them at the diftance of fifty 
leagues from the coafls of Portugal on the 1 7th of 
April, fome of which were fo fatigued that they 
fuffered themfelves to be caught by the hand.” 
The flefh of the Water Rail is not fo generally 
efleemed as that of the Land Rail, and yet by many 
it is thought rich and delicious eating. 
