L X V I. WATERRAIL. 



(Rallus aqiiaticus.} 



THIS illustration is from a freshly killed specimen obtained in 

 the neighbourhood of Glasgow in 1861. In comparing it with 

 Yarrell's description it was found to differ in the following par- 

 ticulars : 



The beak, instead of being all red, had the top of the upper 

 mandible nearly black, the rest red, and the irides were vermilion, 

 instead of hazel. There was a light mark on the under eyelid, 

 and some of the wing coverts (the spurious wing) were slate-grey, 

 barred with white, like the flanks. In all these points the bird 

 agreed with Pennant's description and plate. 



A Waterrail was caught in the garden here this winter, 

 during the long and severe frost, nearly starved. We fed it 

 with oatcake, and it was able to fly away when let go again. 



The Waterhen and the Waterrail have very long toes, well 

 adapted for supporting them on the soft ground in the muddy, 

 wet places they frequent. 



THE MOOR HEN, or WATER HEN (Gallinula chloropus.) 

 These birds are to be found here and in most other places. I 

 hoped to have made a drawing of a nest in a horse pond at the 

 foot of a tree beside an old stump, and made a voyage to it in 

 a washing tub for want of other means ; but it was deserted. 

 I have seen a nest in a stream on the extremity of a willow 

 branch that stretched out into the water. In spite of all their 

 precautions, Waterhens' eggs are stolen by rats. One has been 

 seen taking them out of the nest and handing them on to its 

 companions to help to get them ashore. Rats are very clever at 



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