LAND-RAIL.
RITKGEN Y RHYCH. RIIKGBN YR YD, OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH.
CORN -CRAKE. DAKER HEN. MEADOW-CRAKE.
Crex pra/ensis,
Rallus crex,
Gallinula crew,
Orfygnmctra ens,
Porphyria rufescens,
SELBY. JENYNS.
MONTAGU.
BEWICK.
FLEMING.
BRISSON.
Cnx- Praiensis—Pertaining to meadows.
ONE would think that this bird, so difficult, to make get on the
wing, and which 3eems of such feeble powers when it has been a(
last, evidently against its will, forced to do so, could never sustain,
or, at all events, would never voluntarily undertake so lengthened
and laborious a flight as that winch must be necessary to cross from
t h e continent to this, its temporary island home. But such a thought
is contradicted by the fact, and glad arc many, no doubt, with myself,
that so it is. Every one must recall with pleasure the ' O l d Times,'
when firs! he heard, and first remarked, as on first hearing he could
not fail to do, t h e curious creaking cry of the Corn-Crake.
This species is a native of all the four quarters of the globe,
occurring throughout Europe, even in the highest parts of Sweden
and Norway, and Iceland and the Ferroc Isles; as also in Asia—in
Asia Minor. In Africa likewise, and America—in the West Indies;
so too iu Madeira.
I t is more or less common throughout England, especially in the
north: Wales; and Ireland; iu the last-named particularly so, and in
Orkney and Zetland, but in some places in Scotland appears, as also
in different parts of Yorkshire, to be less numerous than formerly,
though without any apparent cause. They are, however, plentiful in