rjiX-iiir.D SHOOTING. 117 



nuinbers, but seldom aliglit.^ They are,_we are told, very common 

 in Siberia, appearing there in autumn in vast flocks, coming from 

 the extreme north, where they breed/' 



The bird is very common in Ireland. They arrive there in 

 immense quantities. They are difficult to get within gun-shot, 

 being wary and extremely shy. 



The Water-rail {Rallus AqiiaticMS, Linn.) — This is a curious 

 specimen of the fen-bird. He resembles the landrail in general 

 appearance and figure, but is quite distinct in liis habits and in- 

 stincts. The water-rail is one day crouched in the long grass of a 

 high district, and in the next he is squatted on, or flying about, the 

 marshy and boggy grounds. When hunted closely he may be 

 readily sprung, and makes a passable shot. 



Colonel Montague says of this bird, — "It seldom takes wincr, 

 but dives on the least alarm, and will remain under water, amongst 

 the reeds or other aquatic plants, with only its bill above for 

 respiration. Its nest is formed, like the rest of the grebes, of a 

 prodigious quantity of flags, or other water plants, but is gene- 

 rally fastened to the reeds or flags, m order to prevent its being 

 carried away by the current. ^ Temminck gives a similar state- 

 ment. The eggs are five or six in number, of a dii-ty white ; the 

 shape oblong, and less than those of the pigeon. These are gene- 

 rally covered with weeds, so that when the bird quits her nest 

 suddenly they are not exposed to view. In large rivers, these 

 birds are frequently devoured by pike and trout while they are 

 diving- in pursuit of small fish. We once took from the stomach 

 of the last a water-rail weighing fifteen ounces, the trout weighing 

 only four pounds. After the breeding season, the bird is fre- 

 quently found in some of our inlets of the sea, where it is said to 

 feed on shrimps." 



The Gallinule, or Moorlien {Foiiica CJdoropus, Linn.) — Tliis is 

 another fen-bird which engages the attention of young and amateur 

 sportsmen. In many of its habits it is very like the water-rail. 

 The moorhen is not met with in any great numbers ; but they are 

 scattered here and there over almost every country. It is not 

 ascertained whether they migrate, or not; but it is weU known 

 that they change their place according to the seasons of the year j 

 frequenting elevated tracts in summer, and more sheltered ones ia 

 the winter. It is very common in Great Britain, and sportsmen 

 meet with it on the borders of rivers and ponds, where ^villows and 

 sedges grow. Mr. Daniel says, " It is like the water-rail ; it con- 

 ceals itself durhig the day; in the evening it runs and skull<:s by 

 the margin of the waters, among the roots of the bushes, oziers, 

 and long loose herbage which overhang the banks, in quest of its 

 food, which consists of insects, woi-ms, aquatic plants, and seeds; 

 it will lilcewise pick up corn from the neighljourmg stubbles ; it is 

 at all times very good eating, but from September to December the 

 flesh is extremely delicious." 



The nest of the female moorhen is made of reeds and rushes, 



