234 BIRD WATER TRESPASSERS. 



that have been dissected, the remains of aquatic insects 

 are always found, chiefly consisting of the head, wing- 

 cases, and legs of various species of water beetles. 



WATER HEN, OR MOOR HEN (Gdllinula 



If the reader will refer to the illustration in which 

 the dabchicks are represented, he will see that near 

 them is a Water Hen engaged in looking after her eggs. 

 She may well do so, for her nest is singularly con- 

 spicuous and very large, and the eggs are usually 

 some seven or eight in number, and of considerable 

 size. It is always placed near the water, as the bird, 

 being a really aquatic one, always takes to the water 

 instinctively when alarmed. Indeed, when it is only 

 just hatched, and looking like a shapeless ball of black 

 down, out of which a head oddly protrudes itself, it is 

 much more at ease in the water than on shore, and 

 swims and dives as well as its parents. 



At a little distance, the Water Hen seems to be 

 rather a plain bird in point of plumage, just as the 

 splendidly attired magpie appears to be only black 

 and white ; but when closely examined, the adult 

 male is found to be one of our handsomest English 

 birds. In its nuptial plumage, which is in the be- 

 ginning of spring, the general colour is rich dark 

 olive-green, looking a brighter hue on the sides. The 

 head and neck are deep purple, and the legs are bright 

 green, with a crimson bar just above the knee, looking 

 exactly as if the bird wore green silk stockings and 

 crimson garters. 



