BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 231 



large, or profusely distributed. Size about 1.7 by 

 1.2 in. (See Plate XIV.) 



Time. March, April, May, June, July, and 

 sometimes even as late as August. 



Remarks. Resident, and partially migratory. 

 Notes: Call, crek-rek-rek. Local and other names: 

 Water Hen, Marsh Hen, Moat Hen, Gallinule. 

 Not a very close sitter, slipping quietly off the 

 nest and instantly hiding on the approach of any 

 intruder. The eggs may be distinguished from 

 those of the Coot by their smaller size and larger 

 markings. 



NIGHTINGALE. 



(Daulias luscinia.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family TURDID^: (THRUSHES). 



Description of Parent 

 Birds. Length about 

 six inches. Bill of me- 

 dium length, nearly 

 straight, and brown. 

 Irides hazel. Head and 

 upper parts of body 

 uniform tawny - brown . 

 W ing- and t ail - quills 

 brown, edged with rust- 

 colour. Chin, throat, 

 and all under - parts 

 greyish-white, tinged with brown on the breast, and 

 reddish on the under tail-coverts. Legs, toes, and 

 claws brown. 



The female is rather smaller in size, but other- 

 wise closely resembles the male. 



Situation and Locality. In natural declivities on 



NIGHTINGALE. 



