190 GRALLATORES. GALLINULA. GALLINULE. 



short space only, with the legs hanging down ; though it 

 rises without apparent difficulty, and can occasionally take a 

 long course on wing. It will sometimes perch upon a bush, 

 or low tree, and that without effort, its long and slender toes 

 giving to it a strong power of grasp. On the margins of 

 ponds or rivers, where the grass is short, it is frequently 

 seen walking about in search of worms and slugs, flirting up 

 its tail at intervals, and thus displaying, in a conspicuous 

 manner, its white under coverts ; and as its motions are 

 lively, it becomes a desirable ornamental appendage to those 

 Nest, &c. parts of pleasure grounds. For the site of its nest it selects 

 a retired spot among the sedges or low brooks by the water- 

 sides, its foundation frequently resting upon the low floating 

 branches, or upon the stump of an old willow-tree. It is 

 formed of an interlaced mass of decayed flags, rushes, &c. 

 of considerable thickness ; in which are deposited from eight 

 to ten eggs, larger than those of the Meadow Crake, and of a 

 yellowish-white, or pale yellowish-brown colour, marbled all 

 over with a differently-sized spots of reddish-brown, or um- 

 ber brown of various shades. These birds, when they leave 

 the nest for the purpose of feeding, cover their eggs ; an in- 

 stinctive habit possessed by several others, not only of this 

 but of other families, and which I conceive to be done rather 

 with a view to concealment from their enemies, than to re- 

 tain during their absence the warmth generated by incu- 

 bation, as suggested by Dr RENNIE. After three weeks the 

 young are excluded, covered with a black hairy down, and 

 immediately take to the water, where they are assiduously 

 attended by the parent, who frequently broods over them in 

 the manner of a hen. This downy covering gradually gives 

 place to the usual plumage, and in the course of nearly five 

 weeks they can fly and provide for themselves. In this young 

 state they are exposed to many dangers, and often become 

 the prey of rats and other vermin, as well as of the voracious 

 pike, which, according to MONTAGU, has been known even 

 to swallow the old bird. Their nests and eggs are also 



