ic5 cassell's book of birds. 



Their toes spread out so widely that they cover a considerable surface, and each stride is accompanied 

 with a jerking movement of the tail ; they are able, moreover, half fluttering and half running, to 

 make their way over a floating surface of aquatic plants. They likewise swim with considerable 

 facility, lying lightly upon the water, and as they row themselves along, constantly bow with their head, 

 as though keeping time with the strokes of their feet. When upon the wing, the beauty of their 

 plumage is fully displayed ; their flight, however, is inelegant, they rise unwillingly into the air, and 

 fluttering onwards, fall quickly to the ground, always, if possible, among high reeds, sedge, or rice, 

 amongst which they at once hide themselves. During flight, their long legs hang down behind, and 

 render them easily recognisable at a distance. Their voice somewhat resembles the cackling or 

 clucking of a Hen, reminding us at the same time of that of the Water-hen, but it is of stronger and 

 deeper tone. Like the rest of the family, which it closely resembles in its general habits, this species 

 eats the tender shoots of young corn, grass, and various kinds of grain. When the breeding season 

 approaches, the mated pairs generally resort to rice-fields, and settle down in some place of conceal- 

 ment among the reeds and rushes. Their nest, which floats upon the top of the water, is but a rude 

 agglomeration of dry grass, rice-straw, reeds, and other similar materials. In this roughly-constructed 

 cradle, the female about the end of May lays from three to five eggs, of somewhat elongated shape, 

 with a smooth polished shell, the ground colour of which is dark silvery grey or reddish brown. 

 When first hatched the young are dressed in a suit of dark grey down, their beak, forehead, and legs 

 being of a blueish tinge. They soon learn to swim about and to dive, but their parents continue to 

 watch over them for a considerable period with great tenderness. According to Jerdon, this species 

 is said to destroy large numbers of Wild Ducks' eggs, by sucking them ; and one of these birds has 

 been seen to seize a duckling in its huge foot, crush its head, and eat out the brains, leaving the rest 



untouched. 



THE PURPLE GALLINULE. 



The Purple Gallinule {Porphyria chloronotus) is indigo-blue upon the nape and fore-part of the 

 wing, and bright blue on the front of the neck. The breast is indigo-blue, gradually shaded to a 

 slaty-black on the belly. The mantle is dark green. The eye is yellowish brown, the beak blood-red, 

 and the foot brick-red. This species is seventeen inches long and thirty broad. The Purple Gallinule 

 is principally found in the lake districts of Lower Egypt, its presence extending thence east over 

 Syria and the region watered by the Euphrates. As far as our observations enable us to judge, it is a 

 bird of passage, and makes its appearance in Egypt about the end of April, leaving that country in 

 September. It does not, as far as we could learn, ascend the Nile, nor did we ever see it in the 

 countries through which the Upper Nile passes. Its general habits closely resemble those of the 

 species above described. 



The WATER-HENS (Stagnicola) are recognisable by the structure of their beak, which is of 

 conical form and compressed at its sides, its base being prolonged over the forehead, and its cutting 

 edges finely denticulated. The feet are large, with long toes, furnished at the sides with broad, 

 web-like folds of skin ; the wings are broad and obtuse, the third quill being the longest ; the tail is 

 short, and formed of twelve feathers. The plumage is thick and luxuriant. 



These birds are more aquatic in their habits than the Rails ; they swim with great facility, 

 disporting themselves upon the surface in a singular manner, and continually striking the water with 

 their tails. When approached or alarmed, they have recourse to diving, employing their wings to 

 assist their progress under water, or take flight, skimming along close to the surface till they reach 

 a place of shelter. On the land they move with ease, whisking with the tail at intervals as they 

 walk, and are enabled by the compressed shape of their bodies to run rapidly through coverts or 



