NTSTINfJ-l^KRll's <)l' l!Hlri-<n I!IIU)s 



No. 93. COOT. (iMilica ;itr;i.) 



This rcsiik'iit species is f'tiuiHl lu iiuist ol' tiie l;il<es. jioiuls and 

 sluggish streams tliroiigliout the Uritisli Islands, but, in severe 

 wcatlier, it iiiigrates to tlic sea-eoast. Its loud eoiisists of aquatic 

 iuseets, worms, i)ioli\isc<. and vegetable substances. The nest, a deep 

 compact mass of dry I'ccds and sedges, is generally placed above 

 siiallow water, anujng tlags and tall I'ushcs. The eggs, from seven to 

 ten in number, arc l)uff-colour, with small spots of blackish-brown. 



Hampshire. .May. 



Presrn/r(/ liij Sir liilimril S/ir//ri/, Hurt. 



No. 94. MOORHEN. (( ialliimla cliloniiius.) 



This species, also known as tiie Waterhcn, is a common resident 

 throughout the Britisli Islands, wherever tiie reedy margins of lakes, 

 ponds, or running water afford suitable shelter. It swims well, and 

 feeds chiefly on slugs, worms, and insects, but will also kill and devour 

 the young of other waterfowl. The nest, a compactly bnilt structure 

 of dry Hags and sedges, is usually situated in shallow water among reeds 

 and other atjuatic plants, but it is occasionally placed on branches of 

 overhanging trees and at a considerable lieight above the water. The 

 eggs, from seven to nine in numljcr, arc pale buff, spotted with reddish- 

 brown and dull lilac. 



Leiccstershiri'. May. 



I'rcseittcil hij Thfodari' JValker, Es<j. 



No. 95. STORM-PETREL. (Frocellaria |)('lat;ica.) 



This bird, (jften known as "Mother Carey's Chicken," is strictly 

 pelagic in its habits, seldom coming to shore except during the breeding- 

 season. It is generally distributed throughout British waters, and 

 frequents low islets and other suitable situations, common off' the coasts 

 of Scotland and Ireland. During severe storms it is sometimes driven 

 inlandj and is occasionally found far from the coast. The food con- 

 sists of small fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and fatty matter floating on 

 the surface of the ocean. A single white egg, faintly dotted with rusty 

 brown, is laid at the end of a burrow or beneath stones, often on the 

 bare soil, but sometimes on a slight nest of dry grass-stems. Though 

 eggs are sometimes found as early as the end of May and as late as 



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