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(Rallus aquaticus, Linn.—Le Rale d'Eau, Buff.)
THIS bird, though a distinct genus of itself, has many traits in its character very similar to both the Land Rail and the Spotted Rail: it is migratory, like the former, to which it also bears some resemblance in size, lengthened shape, and compressed body; its haunts and manner of living are nearly the same as those of the latter; but it differs from both in the length of its bill, and in its plumage. It weighs about four ounces and a half, and measures twelve inches in length and sixteen in breadth. The bill is slightly curved, and one inch and three quarters long; the upper mandible dusky, edged with red; the under reddish orange; irides red. The top of the head, hinder part of the neck, the back, scapulars, coverts of the wings, and tail, are black, edged with dingy brown; the ridge of the wings is white, the bastard wing barred with white, the inside barred with brown and white, and the quills and secondaries dusky; the side feathers are beautifully crossed with black and white, and slightly tipped with pale reddish brown. The inner side of the thighs, the belly, and the vent are pale brown, and in some specimens, speckled with bluish ash. The sides of the head, the chin,* fore part of the neck, and the breast, are dark hoary lead colour, slightly tinged with pale rufous. The tail consists of twelve short black feathers, edged and tipped with dirty red; some of those on the under side barred with black and white. The legs, which are placed far behind, are a dull dingy red; toes long, and without any connecting membrane. Latham says, "the eggs are more than an inch and a half long, of a pale yellowish colour, marked all over with dusky brown spots, nearly equal in size, but irregular."
The Water Rail is a shy and solitary bird. Its constant abode is in low wet places, much overgrown with sedges, reeds, and other coarse herbage, among which it shelters and feeds in hidden security. It runs, occasionally flirting up its tail, through its tracts, with the same swiftness as the Land Rail runs through the meadoows and corn fields, shews as great an aversion to taking flight as that bird, and has more of the means in its power of disappointing the sportsman. It generally exhausts his patience, and distracts and misleads his dog, by the length of time to which it can protract its taking wing; and it seldom rises until it has crosseed every pool, and run through every avenue within the circuit of its retreats. It is, however, easily shot when flushed, for it flies but indifferently, with its legs dangling down. It is not very common in Great Britain, but is numerous in the marshes of the northern countries of Europe, whence, partially and irregularly, it migrates southward, even into Africa, during the severity of the winter season. Buffon says, "they pass Malta in the spring and autumn," and to confirm this, adds, "that the Viscount de Querhoėnt saw a flight of them at the distance of fifty leagues from the coasts of Portugal on the 17th of April, some of which were so fatigued that they suffered themselves to be caught by hand." The flesh of the Water Rail is not so generally esteemed as that of the Land Rail, and yet by many it is thought rich and delicious eating.
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