Tin: WATKK HEN. 



587 



substances, wlii.-h they crack easily with their ]>oweiful bill-. Their very long toes enable them 

 to walk ii|N,n the floating herbage nearly as well a* the Jacanas, and \i\<\\ land they ate \>-ry 

 quick of foot. They us.- their long toes for carrying food t.. their beak, a habit which has 

 often Ix-en observed in the common coot. 



The Hyacinthine (iallinule is spread over a huge ex tent of range, being found in many |iart 

 of Africa, Asia, and Kum|e. It is graceful and quick in its movements. |, u t is said to ! 

 ntther a stupid bird. I'.-rhaps future observers ma\ dve a better account of its int-lle<-t. 

 The newt of this sj.vies i.s made in the sedgy partaof the morasses which ii frequent.*, and con- 

 tains a rather small numU-r of nearly white eggs. 



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HVACI.MUI.NE 



The color of the Hyacinthine Uallinule is rich blue, taking a dark indigo tone upon the 

 kirk, aii'l :iumiiiii a Ix-aiitiful tiinjnoise hue upon the head. neck, throat, and breast. The 

 mi'l'-r tail-coverts are white, tlie hill is light red, and the legs and feet are pinky-red. The 

 length of this l>ird is about eighteen inches. 



OUR most familiar example of the Oallinules is tin- \V \ 1 1 i: MK\. .sometimea called the 

 Moou II 



This hinl may be seen in plenty in every river in Europe, and mostly on ,-\ery pond 

 or sheet of water where th.- reedy or rushy banks offer it a refuge. It is a hold hinl. though 

 siitliciently wary mi <H-casic,n> : ami while it will slij> quickly out of sight of a dog or a 

 man with a irun. will swim alxmt with j-rfe-t -if possession in a pon<l l-y the side of a 

 railway, quite undisturbed by the Bound and siuht of the rushing tnin. When Martled it 

 fli'-s nipidly across the water with quick Ix-atintr winir> and dandling legs, leaving a Ion- iri<k 

 U-hind it, which will remain for some little time, like the wake of a ship. As it Dean it* 



