LAND-RAIL. 39
Sutb.erlandsh.ire, and are found in Caithness, In Cornwall it is said
to be rather rare, and in Cambridgeshire; in Norfolk only a few stay
to breed, the greater numbers that are seen are only passing visitors.
Its favourite haunts are low meadows of mowing grass, clover fields,
willow b e d s , fields of growing corn, and any such like fastnesses as
can afford it a secure hiding-place.
They conduct their migration by night, and arrive in England about
the last week in April, reaching the northern parts of the kingdom
about the beginning of the first week in May, but some have been
seen by the end of April. Their arrival in the south seems to be
rather later, namely, in the second week in May. Their departure
takes place early in October, but one is recorded to have been killed
near London, in December, 1884; one near Yarmouth, in Norfolk,
in January, 1833; and one in Ireland on the 29th. of March, but
whether it was a newly-arrived bird, or one that had stayed through
the previous winter, cannot be affirmed. Instances have occurred of
some individuals remaining throughout the winter, but only exceptions
to the general rule. Mr. Edward IUyth mentions in the 'Magazine
of Natural History,* volume viii. page 512, one thus met with at
Tooting, Surrey, about the middle of December, 1834, and it was at
the time in good condition. One in Oxfordshire, near Ilenley-on-
Thamcs, on the 4th. of November, 1851. One in Lancashire, at
Lytham, near Preston, by C. Nelson, Esq., M. D . , on the 10th. of
the same month in tin; following year. One seen in the Cambridge
market on the 7th. of November, 1861, but it had the mark of a
wound on the wing, which had no doubt prevented it from migrating.
On the 2nd. of December, 1851, another was shot near Plymouth,
Devonshire, which had not left our shores, though, to all appearance,
'sound, wind and limb.' In the same year, on the 18th, of February,
one had been taken near liembridge, in the Isle of Wight. In Sussex,
one near Rottingdean, on the 27th. of November, 1844. Another
was shot near Rye, in the same county, just before Christmas, 1848,
and yet another was seen near the same place the following February.
In Hampshire one at Monxton, near Andover, J a n u a r y 29th., 1870. In
the winter of 184G-7, during a severe frost, with snow on the ground,
a Land-Rail was constantly seen feeding with the fowds in a farmyard
in the parish of Fringford, Oxfordshire. One, January 28th.,
1840, in the parish of Shifnal, Salop. One was killed in Scotland,
in Ivircudbrightshire, not far from Dumfries, on the 19th. of February,
1853; it, too, was in fine plumage, and equally good bodily order.
They assemble together, in certain places, before going awav. On
their first arrival, they are in poor condition, but soon become in