CREX.
Bill shorter than head, high, and compressed sideways ; tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw. Affects drier localities than other " Rallithe"; nest a shallow depression on ground; eggs huffy white, blotched and spotted with rufous.
Crex crex (L.). CORN-CRAKE. Er. Rale des pros ; Ger. Wachtelkiinig ; Ital. Re di quaglie ; Swed. Angsknarr.
? Above blackish brown, marked with greyish and reddish ochreous ; quills rufous ; wing coverts rusty ; sides of head blue grey, lores and a stripe behind eye brown, chin white, underparts white, under tail coverts marked reddish brown, flanks rufous with white bars. Bill dark brown. Legs and feet greyish
brown. Wing 134-146. (? generally the smaller.) Tarsus 38-41. Bill 16-19.
Breeds. — Fames (exceptional), British Isles, Continental Europe from Arctic Circle in Norway and Sweden, 65' in Finland and N. Russia and 6o'' in Urals, south to Pyrenees, N. Italy and Macedonia ; also in W. Asia. Migratory ; passes through S. Europe and N. Africa ; winters in Africa south to Cape Colony ; occasional birds winter N. Africa and even Europe, as far north as Germany and Britain.