444 Rallidce. 



softness of its tread on the floating herbage, which it traverses so 

 nimbly, it is provincially known as the ' Velvet-runner,' the 

 4 Brook-runner,' and the ' Runner/ Montagu calls it the ' Oar- 

 Cock ;' and Mr. Cecil Smith says it is known in Somersetshire as 

 the ' Skitty,' and calls attention to the extreme narrowness of its 

 breast-bone, whereby it is enabled to creep through very small 

 holes and very tangled grasses.* This bird (in common with the 

 Moorhen and Coot) has a small rudimentary claw or spur on 

 the wing ; but this in a kindred species a specimen of which 

 was kindly brought me from New Zealand by Miss Awdry is 

 developed into quite a formidable weapon.f In France it is Rale 

 d'eau ; in Germany, Wasser Ralle ; in Italy, Gallinella palvistre ; 

 in Sweden, Vatten-RalL; in Spain, Rascon, 'Scratched; and in 

 Portugal, Frango d'ayua. It can both swim and dive with great 

 ease. It remains with us throughout the year. 



170. MOORHEN (GaUinula chloropus). 



This is the most common species of the whole family, for it 

 may be seen on almost every retired pond or lake, either 

 swimming amidst the rushes with its peculiar jerking motion, 

 or alarmed at the presence of an intruder, seeking the shelter of 

 the most distant bank and the thickest sedge ; and there it will 

 sink in the water, submerging the whole body with the exception 

 of the beak, which alone protrudes above the surface to enable it 

 to breathe, and holding on to that position by means of some 

 rush, or reed, or water-plant, which it grasps with its feet. As 

 evening draws on, it will wander over the newly-mown grass of a 

 hay-field, searching diligently for food. Though a shy bird, it is 

 more familiar and shows more confidence in man than the 

 preceding species, and has been known when undisturbed to 

 become quite tame. In the classic grounds at Walton Hall, the 

 seat of the late well-known naturalist, Mr. Waterton, where all 



' Birds of Somerset,' p. 443. 



t See article by Mr. P. L. Sclater ' Ou the Claws and Spurs of Birds' 

 Wings,' in Ills for 1U6, pp. 147-U1. 





