FULICARI^. ( 202 ) RALLIDAi. 



THE MOOR HEN. 



WATER HEN, MARSH HEN, STANK HEN. 



Gallinula chloropus. 

 %\^t (Ifllater ^zxi. 



At distance from the water's edge, 



On hanging sallow's farthest stretch, 

 The moorhen 'gins her nest of sedge, 



Safe from destroying schoolboy's reach. 



Clare, March. 



This well-known bird is plentiful all over the county 

 wherever there are streams or pools, the lake at Duns 

 Castle being one of its favourite resorts. Mill ponds 

 and the parts of the Whitadder, Blackadder, Leader, and 

 other streams, where the current moves slowly and where 

 reeds, rushes, and other aquatic plants abound, ^e also 

 much frequented by this species, and there it may often be 

 seen swimming about on the surface of the water with a 

 nodding motion of the head. Its usual haunts during 

 the day are about the margins of pools, where it searches 

 amongst the rank herbage for worms, insects, and water 

 plants. When it is occupied in feeding at the edge of 

 a mill pond I have often been amused at the precipitate 

 manner in which it retreats to the other side on being 

 approached, fluttering over the surface of the pool with 

 its legs hanging down, and splashing up the water in its 

 line of flight. On reaching the opposite side, however, 

 it seems to consider itself safe, for then it walks about 

 in a leisurely manner, flicking up its tail and thus show- 



