30 



to the water's edge. Being secured to the pendent 

 reeds, woven and matted together, it floats securely 

 with the ebbing and flowing of the water. The 

 female lays eight or nine eggs of a reddish white 

 hue, speckled with dark reddish brown. The 

 young, which are covered with black down when 

 first hatched, almost immediately take to the water 

 and shift for themselves. 



CKANE, COMMON. 



GBTTS CINEREA, Temm. 



This large species of wader, measuring about 

 five feet in length, was frequently found some 

 years since by the sides of the lakes and fens of 

 this country, in which it is now extremely rare. 

 It is widely spread however, and in its migrations 

 performs the most distant journeys. During sum- 

 mer it is found scattered over the north of 

 Europe and Asia, and in winter is met with in the 

 warmer regions of India, Syria, Egypt, &c. Its 

 food is variable, consisting occasionally of grain 

 and aquatic plants, at other times, worms, reptiles, 

 &c. It breeds in Norway, Sweden, &c., usually 

 placing its nest among reeds, &c. ; in the fens, 

 though it is also occasionally found on some secluded 

 ruins, &c. The female lays two greyish green 

 eggs, spotted and blotched with brown. 



