The Waterhen. 87 
scuffle was heard, and then the puppy’s brown head 
appeared, and in his mouth was the Waterhen, alive 
and unharmed! 
The Waterhen belongs to the rail family (Rallide), 
the members of which have not webbed feet, though 
several of them have either partially webbed feet, or 
are provided with an analogous growth to aid them 
Fie. 18. 
Foot of Waterhen, showing membrane at side of toes. 
From nature. Natural size. 
in swimming. ‘I'he Waterhen has on both sides of each 
of its toes a narrow membrane (Fig. 18), which expands 
as the foot strikes the water, thus greatly enlarging 
the width of the toes, and affording the foot a 
sreater resistance against the water. Moreover, 
when swimming under water it uses both wings and 
