8o THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



far back as the eye. In all the other forms this frontal shield 

 frequently extends beyond the eye. Indian and western South 

 African examples are smaller, ranging in length of wing from 6 J^ 

 to sj^ inches; American examples {G. galatea) are larger, 

 ranging in length of wing from 7^ to 6)^ inches. It is said that 

 the Waterhen of Madagascar {G. pyrrhorrhoa) and that of 

 Tristan d'Acunha {G. nesiotis) are fairly separable forms. 



Time during which the Waterhen may be taken.— 



August I St to March ist; otherwise by authority of owner or 

 occupier of land. 



Habits. — This common and well-known species is a resident 

 on all lakes and slow-running streams where the banks or shallows 

 are covered with sufficient vegetation to afford it concealment. 

 In a great many localities this species lives in an almost domesti- 

 cated state J so tame as to pay little attention to the presence of 

 man, and coming to his threshold for food during severe weather 

 when its haunts are sealed by frosts. I have known this species 

 frequent a small stream by the wayside not four feet across, and 

 repeatedly wander on to the highway in quest of food. The 

 Waterhen is just as much at home on land as in water, and walks 

 about the grass lands and the banks of the pool in a singularly 

 graceful manner, flicking its tail up and down every few moments. 

 It swims with equal grace, with a peculiar nodding motion of the 

 head, and is equally expert at diving and progressing under water 

 for considerable distances. Although by no means shy it is wary 

 and alert enough, often diving at the flash of a gun and hurrying 

 away under water to the shelter of the reeds or flags, where with 

 its body submerged and only its bill protruding, it waits until all 

 is safe again before allowing its body to be uncovered. It is 

 equally at home in a tree or a hedge, and I have known it 

 repeatedly roost amongst evergreens during long-continued frosts. 

 Its flight is not very strong, being slow and laboured, and the 

 long legs are allowed to dangle down as if broken and useless. 

 Nevertheless it often mounts into the air at night and flies about 

 for an hour or more, uttering its shrill cry at intervals. At all 

 times this species seems pugnaciously inclined, and not only 

 fights with its own kind but with other waterfowl that may chance 

 to intrude too closely on its haunt. The note of the Waterhen is 



