342 COMMON GALLINULE. 



strict search to find it, allowing the stems of grasses 

 and hrushwood to be put aside without moving ; 

 and, when discovered, is seen squatted under water, 

 immoveahle, and permitting itself to be lifted, mak- 

 ing no struggle for escape until secured. It breeds 

 among reeds or roots of brush, by the water's edge, 

 supporting the nest upon them ; and an instance is 

 mentioned, by Rusticus of Godalming, where the 

 .nest was placed on the branch of a spruce, twenty 

 feet from the water. It frequently perches on bushes 

 near the water, and on trees at a considerable height, 

 particularly when alarmed. 



The European range of the Common Gallinule is 

 general and extensive. Out of Europe it appears 

 limited, and we do not trace it authentically very 

 widely ; Dr. Smith is said to have brought it from 

 Southern Africa.* 



An adult Water-hen is a beautiful bird in spring ; 

 the base of the bill, and shield on the forehead, now 

 considerably enlarged, is a bright red, and contrasts 

 well, or enlivens the deep blackish-grey of the head, 

 throat, neck, and under parts ; this colour shades 

 into a deep oil-green on the upper parts, at this season 

 glossed with rich green reflections, which are spread 

 on the sides of the breast ; the quills are nearly pale 

 umber-brown, the outer edge of the first, with the 

 bend of the wing, white ; the tail rounded at the tip, 

 is black, shading into deep oil-green, and shows the 

 narrow cross dark markings incident to structure, 

 seen in various incessorial birds, and in the aquatic 

 * Tarrell, 



