274 



WATER HEN. 



slugs, seeds, young buds and shoots all form part of 

 their fare. They fly heavily, with their legs trailing 

 below their bodies. 



The Moor Hen is a dark-plumaged bird. Its general 

 colour is dark olive brown ; head and neck slate grey ; 

 under parts also slate grey, shading into brown ; the 



WATER HEN. 



forehead is scarlet, as also is the bill, shading into 

 yellow at the tip. 



The Moor Hen is an early breeder, and eggs may be 

 looked for in the beginning of April. Two and often 

 three broods are reared in the year. The nest is 

 placed amidst the reeds and sedges, and is usually well 

 concealed. It is frequently built floating on the water. 



