WATER HEN. 273 



of a large reed bed searching for Water Hens' nests. 

 It was built of reeds, but also contained a large amount 

 of coarse dry grass. The bird slipped off her nest, and 

 we only just caught a glimpse of it, as it hurried away 

 through the reeds more like a water rat than anything 

 else. 



The eggs, five to seven, sometimes more, resemble 

 to some extent the eggs of the Land Rail ; but are not 

 so thickly spotted, and are generally slightly smaller. 

 They are buffish or greenish white in ground colour, 

 spotted with reddish brown and violet grey. 



WATER HEN. 



GALLINULA CHLOROPUS. 



Family RALLID^E. Genus GALLINULA. 



Moor Hen Gallinule Marsh Hen. 



The Water Hen is a common resident throughout the 

 British Isles. Hardly a river, lake, or large pond but 

 has its pair of birds ; and in many cases so domesticated 

 have they become that they will feed with the poultry, 

 and trouble little at any one's approach. Water Hens 

 and Coots differ much in their habits from the other 

 members of this family, for although in their wild state 

 shy birds, they are frequently seen in the open, either 

 in the meadows or on the niver banks, or more often 

 still on the water itself. Trfe Water Hen is an expert 

 and graceful swimmer though not web-footed, bobbing 

 its head backwards and forwards with each stroke of 

 its legs. It can dive and swim beneath the surface for 

 a long distance. 



Their food is very varied ; water insects, worms, 

 18 



