Page:The Emu volume 13.djvu/253

 The Emu

Official Organ of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union.

" Birds of a feather."

Vol. XIII.] 1ST APRIL, 191 4. [Part 4.

In a paper on the Lewin Rail (Hypotænidia brachypus) published in The Emu, July. 1913, I expressed a hope that during the 1913 season I might glean some facts regarding the life-history of that little-known bird, the Spotless Crake. My wish has been fulfilled; I have been able to make a careful study of the bird, which is known locally as the "Little Native-Hen" and "Motor-car-Bird." Owing to the nature of the locality frequented by the Crakes, this success has been achieved at the cost of much fatigue and discomfort. In most of these excursions I have been accompanied by my sister or my scout, Miss Lowther, both of whom have ably assisted me.

So constantly have I observed the Crakes this season that I cannot understand why they were not seen in the previous year. However, the seasons probably have something to do with the movements of the birds. Last winter was dry, and the Lewin Rails nested early in July—seven weeks sooner than usual. The comparative dryness may have sent the Crakes out of their usual quarters. Then we had record rains during August and September, which ensured a heavy growth in the swamps, and, doubtless, a full food supply. This would cause the birds to nest freely.

Last season I found in the school swamp small nests which puzzled me. From the middle of August that locality was well watched—not by going in and disturbing the rushes, but by listening to sounds and watching the birds. Long, wide open toe-marks on the sand or mud, and channels, showed that the "Tabuan" Crake was present. By degrees I learned that these birds preferred the flowing water in a swamp, and not the deeper and swifter water of the larger creeks, nor that of a pond. The cover was excellent, though by December many of the smaller streams were dry, and the Crakes retreated to the deeper creeks. Early morning and the evening are the chief feeding times. A pair of Crakes appears to keep together all the year, and also to its own feeding area. The Crakes are particularly fond of water-courses that are overgrown with water-cress or native musk. The