Tlie Water-Hen. 



373 



length conciliated so entirely, that it was his regular 

 custom to resort to the fireside as soon as it grew dark, 

 and spend the evening and night with his two associates, 

 sitting close by them, and partaking of the comforts of a 

 warm hearth. As soon as spring appeared, he discon- 

 tinued his visits to the house, and betook himself to the 

 garden ; but, on the approach of winter, he had recourse 

 to his old shelter and friends, who received him very 

 cordially. Security was productive of insolence ; what 

 was at first obtained with caution, was afterwards taken 

 without reserve ; he frequently amused himself with 

 washing in the bowl which was set for the dog to drink 

 out of; and while he was thus employed, he showed 

 marks of the greatest indignation if either of his com- 

 panions presumed to interrupt him. He died in the 

 asylum he had thus chosen, being choked with something 

 that he had picked up from the floor. 



THE WATER-HEN, (Gallinula cliloropus,) 



Is also called the Moor-Hen, or Moor-Coot, and the Galli- 

 nule. The breast is of a lead-colour, the lower part of 

 the body inclining to ash-colour, and the back dark olive 

 brown. As she swims or walks, she often flirts up her 

 tail. Water-hens feed upon aquatic plants and roots, 

 and upon the small insects which adhere to them ; they 



trow fat about the latter end of September, and their 

 esh is then considered nearly equal to that of the teal ; 



