712 



THE WATEE KAIL. 



vulture. Unless attacked, however, tlie bird is quiet ; and as it is easily tamed, it may be 

 often seen domesticated in the houses. 



The walk of this bird is bold and dignified ; the body is held rather horizontal and the 

 head and neck erect. The flight is strong and sweeping, and the bird rises on circling 

 win"-s somewhat after the manner of the eagle, after obtaining so great an elevation as to 

 be hardly discernible against the sky. The food of the Chaja consists mostly of aquatic 

 plants, which it obtains by wading. The nest of this bird is a rather large edifice of 

 sticks and leaves, and is placed near water. The number of eggs is two, and the young 

 are able to follow their parents almost as soon as hatched. 



The general hue of the Chaja is a leaden-blue colour diversified with black. The 

 bend of the wing is white, and there is a large spot of the same hue at the base of the 

 primaries. Eound the neck is a black collar, the small head is furnished with a crest, the 

 upper part of the neck is clothed with down, and the space round the eye is naked and 

 blood-red in colour. 



We now come to the 

 large family of the Eails, 

 a curious group of birds, 

 formed for rapid movement 

 either on the ground or 

 through the water, but not 

 particularly adapted for long 

 flights. Many species in- 

 habit England. 



The Water Eail is one 

 of the British examples of 

 this family, and is but sel- 

 dom seen, partly because it 

 really is not very plentiful, 

 and partly on account of its 

 shy and retiring habits, and 

 its powers of concealment. 

 It frequents ponds, lakes, 

 and similar localities, haunt- 

 ing those places where luxu- 

 riant reed -beds afford it 

 shelter and covert. On the 

 least alarm it sets off for the 

 place of refuge, diving to a 

 considerable distance and 

 always pressing towards the reeds, through which it glides with wonderful address, and is 

 immediately out of danger. Even a trained dog can hardly flush a Water Eail when once 

 it has reached its reedy refuge, as the bird can thread the reeds faster than the dog can 

 break its way through them, and has ahvays some deep hole or other convenient hiding- 

 place where a dog cannot reach it. 



The food of the Water Eail consists mostly of insects, worms, leeches, molluscs, and 

 similar creatures, all of which can be found either upon the aquatic herbage or in the 

 muddy banks. Mr. Thompson mentions a curious instance of the readily domesticative 

 and insect-hunting propensities of this bird. " On the 15th of September, 1832, I saw in 

 a gunsmith's shop, in Belfast, one of these birds, which had been taken alive a day or two 

 before. It was very expert in catching flies in the shop window, running a tilt at them 

 quite regardless of the presence of the stumbling-blocks which beset its path in the form 

 of pistols, turn-screws, &c. When approached, this bird struck wickedly with its bill and 

 feet, but never with its spurred wings." In the stomach of these birds the same writer 

 found the remains of aquatic molluscs, w^orms, and a few seeds, and portions of leaves. 

 In captivity it will thrive on raw meat chopped small. 



While walking, the bird has a habit of flirting up its odd little tail, so as to show the 



WATER KAir. — A'«//h.s- uiivdii 



