272 WATER RAIL. 



feathers having a black centre ; the head and breast 

 are bluish grey, changing lower down to white, barred 

 with black. It seems almost impossible to tame the 

 Water Rail, but it can be kept in confinement. Meyer 

 gives an interesting account of one which he had for 

 several years ; this had been found in a nest in a hen- 

 house where it had doubtless gone for shelter from 

 the stormy weather ; it became perfectly reconciled 



WATER RAIL. 



to captivity, but never became tame enough to feed 

 when watched, unless perchance tempted by some 

 special dainty, such as a small frog. 



The nest is placed among reeds and rushes, and is 

 usually made of the same materials ; it is carefully 

 concealed and very difficult to find. We were fortu- 

 nate enough to come upon one in the Test when 

 swimming one day, and floundering about in the mud 



