GEALLATORES. 209 



and under one of these, and that by this means the 

 body was kept submerged. I had little time then 

 for reflection, fearing lest the bird might escape ; 

 so, seizing the legs, I drew it out of the water and 

 brought it safe to land. 



It is, perhaps, scarcely fair to draw conclusions 

 from two or three instances ; but, as I have never 

 observed a Moorhen submerge its body and keep 

 its head or bill above water, except in the vicinity 

 of water-plant, reeds, or branches, I think I am not 

 far wrong in concluding that the bird is unable to 

 exercise this peculiar habit without the assistance 

 which is thus afforded. 



There seems to be some difference of opinion as 

 to whether the male and female Moorhen both 

 have the red forehead and the red garter; but I 

 have now little doubt upon this point, having satis- 

 fied myself, both by observation of the birds alive 

 and by dissection after death. 



I have often seen the female bird on the nest, 

 with crimson forehead ; and in several cases where 

 I have known a single pair of Moorhens, and no 

 more, to frequent a small pond, I have remarked 

 that both birds had the conspicuous red patch. 



Again, after a Moorhen hunt in the autumn, 

 when some three or four brace had been bagged, 

 there were often found to be as many males as 

 females, and all had the red forehead unless they 

 were young birds. My own observations, therefore, 



T 3 



