MOORHEN. 151 
MOORHEN. 
GALLINULA cHLOROPUS, Linn. 
Pl. XXIL., figs. 7-9; and Pl. XXIIL., figs. 1, 2. 
Geogr. distr.—Europe generally up to about 60° N. lat.: in Great 
Britain generally common and resident. 
Food.—Grain, seeds of aquatic plants, tender grass shoots, aquatic 
insects, worms, and small Molkusca. 
Nest.—Usually large and rather flat, formed of aquatic plants, 
reeds, and grasses, becoming somewhat finer towards the middle. I 
have, however, found very abnormal nests formed by turning over 
and plaiting together the leaves of tall reeds and flags, standing out of 
the water in a mill-pond, so as to form a rather deep cup, at the bottom 
of which the eggs were placed. I have myself taken eggs from a nest 
of this type. 
Position of nest.—Usually amongst reeds near the edge of water, or 
upon broken down reeds in clumps standing on shoals in water; 
amongst aquatic herbage on banks, on mud-flats, amongst stumps and 
roots, or rarely in trees. 
Number of eggs.—6-10 ; usually 8. 
Time of nidification.—IV. 
The Moorhen rears from two to three broods in the year. 
Mr. Hewitson remarks that its eggs, though very variable 
in size, ‘‘are subject to very little variation in colour.” I 
think, however, that the figures on my plates, all from eggs 
in my collection, show enough variation to puzzle the 
young collector. ; 
The nests, excepting the abnormal one above described, 
which is necessarily above the reach of water, and (for the 
same reason) such as are built in trees, are usually reeking 
wet, and take days of careful drying before fit for the 
cabinet. All that I have found were discovered in May, 
and none contained more than eight eggs; but it is pro- 
bable that the number may vary according to the brood. 
The variety (Pl. XXIII, fig 1) was taken by Mr. O. Janson 
from a nest at Braughing, Herts, and sent to me as a 
curiosity. I asked him to send me the remainder of the 
clutch; these, however, turned out to be of the ordinary 
type figured at Pl. XXII, fig. 7. | ; 
When disturbed the Moorhen either takes wing or dives. 
After diving, especially when pursued by a dog, it remains 
submerged with only its beak above water, until all danger 
appears to be past. 
