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THE WATERHEN OR MOORHEN. 

 (Gallinula chloropus.) 



THE Waterhen likes ponds surrounded by thick bushy 

 growth and builds its nest on the edge. It clambers 

 nimbly about the reeds, and also swims very well 

 although not web-footed ; it dives, and is able to remain 

 some time under the water. It does this when pursued, 

 only occasionally sticking its bill out of the water to 

 breathe. It takes long strides when walking, and can 

 run fast, can stand on the broad round leaves of water 

 plants, on the water grasses, and floating rubbish, its 

 long toes preventing it breaking through and sinking 

 in. It is a very pleasant bird, and if left alone becomes 

 very confident, and it is then an ornament to its sur-- 

 roundings. Its food consists of insects and water-wort; 

 it also rips off the points of sprouting rushes, and the 

 fleshy sedges. In fact it is an innocent and indeed a 

 useful bird. 



The little tail is always turned upward, both in 

 running and swimming, and with each movement it nods 

 its pretty head. It is a truly charming sight when the 

 Waterhen first takes her eight or ten black, silky, 

 roguish-eyed nestlings to the water each one being 

 about the size of a walnut, they bob about like so many 

 black corks. 



This bird is worthy of every protection. 



The Moor or Waterhen is well distributed throughout 

 the British Islands and it is, as a rule, settled in its 

 habitat although in severe winters many migrate from 

 the northern to the southern parts of the country. 



When the sooty chicks are out, the Moorhen parents 



