BIRDS OF THE STREAMS 81 



MOORHEN OR WATER HEN 



(Gallinula chloropus). 



Common throughout the British Isles ; wherever 

 there is water and a bit of cover the Moorhen will find a 

 home. 



Plumage. Frontal disc bright red ; upper parts dark 

 olive-brown. Head, neck, and under parts slate-grey ; 

 some white streaks on flanks ; margin of pure white on 

 the first primary, and under tail-coverts white and 

 conspicuous. Bill yellow. Legs and feet greenish 

 yellow. Toes long. Length 13 in. Female rather 

 larger and brighter. The feathers of this species are 

 peculiar, giving a somewhat hairy appearance rather than 

 feathery. Young, greyish olive above, and ash-grey 

 below. Bill, frontal disc, and legs dull green. Nestling 

 covered with black down. 



Language. Call-note a loud " crek-rek-rek." Alarm 

 note, " whirro," rather like a frog's croak. 



Habits. It runs nimbly on the ground, often using the 

 wings at the same time. It swims and dives well, and, 

 if alarmed, will submerge the body, leaving only the beak 

 above the water. It takes to wing reluctantly, and 

 usually allows its legs to dangle in the water. Both 

 when walking and swimming it bobs its head, and spas- 

 modically jerks its stumpy tail. Pugnacious, and often 

 fights desperately. Usually shy and wary. 



Food. Insects and their larvae ; slugs, worms, grass, 

 grain, &c. 



Nest. March onwards. Two or three broods. 



Site. Among rushes growing in or near water, and in 

 other similar situations ; sometimes in hedges and trees. 



Materials. Dry grass, reed-leaves, and bits of sedge. 



Eggs. Six to ten, or more. Reddish, buffish white, 

 or clay-colour ; sparingly spotted and speckled with 

 reddish (almost orange) brown, and greyish under- 

 markings. 



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