The Land-Rail. OF ORKNEY. 95 



perish in these migrations, which may thin the breed, as I 

 know very few enemies they have, and the number of their 

 young is great. 



The order of migration in this bird is to me unknown : I 

 never could observe them going oif in flocks, like the lapwings, 

 swallows, &c. nor do they convene in order to settle matters 

 beforehand, as these have been observed to do. 



Species 2. — The Water-Hen. 



Common Water-Hen, or Moor-Hen, Wil. Orn. 312. Rail St/n. Av. 112, 

 Fulica Chloropus, Lin. Sys. 268. Brit. Zool. 388. Brit. Zool. Illus. tab. 76. 

 fig. 1. Sib. Scot. 19. 



This species, I am informed, is found in a large loch at 

 the house of Aikerness, in the parish of Evie, Avhere it builds 

 its nest among the weeds of which that loch is full. I have 

 never seen it ; but, by Mr Pennant's description, it is a beau- 

 tiful bird, especially the male, the plumage of which has a 

 fine olive gloss. It builds several times a-year ; drives away 

 its young when they are able to shift for themselves ; lays 

 seven eggs, of a dirty white, thinly spotted with rust-colour, 



