GRALLATORES. 207 



keck !" How pretty those white feathers under the 

 wing look, and how the bright red bill contrasts with 

 the dark colour of the head ! Now he has gained 

 the rushes, and feels safe, and there he will hide till 

 we are gone. 



If surprised in a small pool where there is little 

 cover, the Moorhen, instead of taking wing, dives, 

 and, coming towards the surface in the vicinity of 

 some water-plant, remains entirely submerged, with 

 the exception of the bill, which it just protrudes 

 above the surface to enable it to breathe. 



From what I have observed, I believe that a Moor- 

 hen cannot remain in this position without some 

 assistance from a reed, water-lil}^ or other plant. 

 In other words, it brings itself to anchor by means 

 of its long toes with which it grasps the stalk of a 

 plant, and thus keeps its body below the surface 

 while its bill only is above. Sometimes, in shallow 

 water, the feet touch the ground, and the toes are 

 then inserted in the mud or gravel. 



On one occasion, while walking along the Brent, 

 I surprised a Moorhen in a shallow. The bird must 

 have seen me before I observed it ; for I first be- 

 came aware of its presence by noticing the bright red 

 forehead on the surface of the water. As the brook 

 at that particular spot was too shallow to admit of 

 the bird's diving, and as there was no friendly cover 

 near at hand, it continued submerged for several 

 minutes, until I threw in a stone, when, with one 



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