BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



423 



umaterbcn. 



The Waterhen {Galli?iula chioropus, Linnaeus) is a widely 

 distributed resident species in the British Islands, and 

 occurs in most parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The 

 adult has the head, nape, and upper parts, dark slate-grey ; 

 under parts, dusky ; flanks, brownish, with a few white 

 streaks ; under tail-coverts, white ; horny shield on fore- 

 head, scarlet ; irides, hazel ; bill, scarlet, yellow at tip ; legs, 

 tinged with yellow and green ; tibia, scarlet. Length, 

 about thirteen inches. The female is said to be richer 

 in colour than the male. The young have the horny 

 shield of a greenish tinge. 



