126 FAMILIAR WILD BIEDS. 



which it will thread its way between the flags and 

 rushes that grow upon the sides of the waters, or through 

 those banks of rushes that may be found growing in some 

 "still "" rivers and streams. 



Yet the Moor-hen is not web-footed. It can, however, 

 swim and dive with the utmost celerity. If disturbed, it 

 will at times dive beneath the water, and there continue 

 for some considerable time, rising in an unexpected position 

 for the purpose of breathing, when only the beak and head 

 are exposed. 



Its flight is usually low, and when alighting upon 

 the water it skims it with its legs for some considerable 

 distance, leaving a streak of bubbles upon the otherwise 

 undisturbed surface. The same circumstance in a much 

 lesser degree occurs when taking to flight from the water. 



It is not a shy bird, and will often live in close proximity 

 to the usual haunts of men ; even the terror of a railway 

 train fails to drive it from the ponds and streams that 

 skirt the line. When a number are disturbed, they do not 

 all take to flight in a flock, but one will first leave the 

 rushes, then another or perhaps two, and so in a dis- 

 connected series they will fly to a safe retreat. 



The plumage of the Moor-hen, when seen skimming the 

 water, appears to be black and white; but upon closer 

 inspection many more hues are apparent. The beak or bill 

 is dark greenish-yellow, but bright red at the base, which 

 colour runs up the forehead; and both are brighter in 

 spring-time. The head, neck, and breast are deep blackish 

 purple-gray, with a slight slate-gray tinge upon the throat 

 and breast; the under part has the feathers margined 

 with dull grayish-white ; beneath the wings the feathers 

 are streaked with white (in spring slightly glossed with 



