The Waterhen. 87 



scuffle was heard, and then the puppy's brown head 

 appeared, and in his mouth was the Waterhen, alive 

 and unharmed ! 



The Waterhen belongs to the rail family (Rallid&e), 

 the members of which have not webbed feet, though 

 several of them have either partially webbed feet, or 

 are provided with an analogous growth to aid them 



FIG. 18. 



Foot of Waterhen, showing membrane at side of toes, 

 from nature. Natural size. 



in swimming. The Waterhen has on both sides of each 

 of its toes a narrow membrane (Fig. 18), which expands 

 as the foot strikes the water, thus greatly enlarging 

 the width of the toes, and affording the foot a 

 greater resistance against the water. Moreover, 

 when swimming under water it uses both wings and 



