corn crake

a short-billed Eurasian rail, Crex crex, frequenting grainfields.

Also called land rail.

Origin of corn crake

First recorded in 1545–55

A Corn-crake had made a nest in the meadow late in the year, and at mowing time his Mate was still sitting on her eggs.

Fables for Children, Stories for Children, Natural Science Stories, Popular Education, Decembrists, Moral Tales |Leo Tolstoy
Why, there's that little son of a corn-crake, Flickers—when once he gets talkin' in a smokin' room nothing can hold him.

Punch, Or The London Charivari, VOL. 103, November 26, 1892 |Various
The dew is rising from the roses, the corn-crake's call is heard among the grass, the morning breeze is coming from the sea.

Plays by August Strindberg, Third Series |August Strindberg
Somehow the Irish corn-crake has a bigger note and is much more in evidence than his English brother.

Peeps at Many Lands: Ireland |Katharine Tynan

Then a nightingale began to give forth its long liquid gurgling; and a corn-crake churred in the young wheat.

The Dark Flower |John Galsworthy