NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 171 



No. 93. COOT. (Fulica atra.) 



This resident species is found in most of the lakes, ponds and 

 sluggish streams throughout the British Islands, but, in severe 

 weather, it migrates to the sea-coast. Its food consists of aquatic 

 insects, worms, mollusc?, and vegetable substances. The nest, a deep 

 compact mass of dry reeds and sedges, is generally placed above 

 shallow water, among flags and tall rushes. The eggs, from seven to 

 ten in number, are buff-colour, with small spots of blackish-brown. 



Hampshire, May. 

 Presented by $ir Edward Shelley, Bart. 



No. 94. MOORHEN. (Gallinula chloropus.) 



This species, also known as the Waterhen, is a common resident 

 throughout the British Islands, wherever the reedy margins of lakes, 

 ponds, or running water afford suitable shelter. It swims well, and 

 feeds chiefly on slugs, worms, and insects, but will also kill and devour 

 the young of other waterfowl. The nest, a compactly built structure 

 of dry flags and sedges, is usually situated in shallow water among reeds 

 and other aquatic plants, but it is occasionally placed on branches of 

 overhanging trees and at a considerable height above the water. The 

 eggs, from seven to nine in number, are pale buff, spotted with reddish- 

 brown and dull lilac. 



Leicestershire, May. 

 Presented by Theodore Walker, Esq. 



No. 95. STORM-PETREL. (Procellaria pelagica.) 



This bird, often known as "Mother Carey's Chicken/' is strictly 

 pelagic in its habits, seldom coming to shore except during the breeding- 

 season. It is generally distributed throughout British waters, and 

 frequents low islets and other suitable situations, common off the coasts 

 of Scotland and Ireland. During severe storms it is sometimes driven 

 inland, and is occasionally found far from the coast. The food con- 

 sists of small fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and fatty matter floating on 

 the surface of the ocean. A single white egg, faintly dotted with rusty 

 brown, is laid at the end of a burrow or beneath stones, often on the 

 bare soil, but sometimes on a slight nest of dry grass-stems. Though 

 eggs are sometimes found as early as the end of May and as late as 



