2 26 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS 



The young Water-Hen, before it is able to fly, 

 makes its way along the ground on all fours, using 

 its undeveloped wings quite as much as its feet 

 to aid its progression. A similar thing has been 

 observed of the Little Grebe (Newton, Ihis, 1889, 

 p. 577), and of the Hoatzin, Opisthocomus cristatus 

 (Beddard, torn, cit., p. 286), although the last-named 

 bird finds additional aid in climbing by the use of 

 its '* wing-claws." 



A curious "hairy " variety of the Water-Hen has 

 been described and figured by Mr. J. H. Gurney, 

 Trans. Norf. Nat. Soc, vol. iii. p. 581, and vol. 

 iv. p. 143. 



The Water-Hen has been accused of eating fish, 

 but the charge has been disputed by a good observer, 

 Mr. Armistead, of the Solway Fishery, Dumfries, 

 who states, "The Water-Hen is often seen about 

 the fish-ponds, but I cannot find that it does any 

 harm" {ZooL, 1888, p. 269). 



But if these birds do no harm by devouring young 

 fish in the streams, they are not regarded with much 

 favour by game-preservers ; for there is no doubt 

 that they eat a great quantity of the food intended 

 for pheasants, a practice which, notwithstanding their 

 ornamental appearance, does not commend them for 

 protection. 



COOT. Fulica atra, Linnaeus. PI. 26, fig. 1, la. Length, 

 ^ 16-18 in. ; bill, 1*3 in. ; wing, 8-5 in. ; tarsus, 1-3 in. 



Resident, but migratory in autumn ; frequenting 

 large weedy ponds, and the reed beds which often 



