The Waterhen. 91 
olive-brown, so dark that at a distance the bird 
appears to be almost black. The under parts are 
dark slate-grey shading down toa clouded white, 
while there are streaks of the same colour on the 
flanks. The under-feathers of the tail are white, 
contrasting with the almost black upper-feathers. 
The iris and bill are red, and the bill is rendered still 
more striking by a bright yellow tip. The legs, which 
are of a pale green, have a bright red band just above 
the so-called knee. It may here be said that what is 
generally known as the knee of a bird is in reality 
the tarsal or ankle joint; the knee joint being higher 
up and concealed by skin and feathers. The part of 
the leg of a bird from the tarsal or ankle joint to the 
toes may, therefore, be taken to represent our foot. 

CHICK OF THE WATERHEN. From nature. 
