WATER-HEN 



CHAPTER XVIII 



Sheldrake : Nest ; Food — Teal : Breeding-places ; Anecdotes —Landrail : Arrival of 

 — Cuckoo — Nightjar: Habits of— Quail — Grebe: Arrival; Account of Nest and 

 Young— Bald Coot— Water-Hen— Water-Rail. 



Besides the birds mentioned in the last chapter there are 

 several others which come here to breed, such as the sheldrake, 

 the corncrake, the cuckoo, etc. 



I should certainly call the sheldrake the most beautiful 

 bird of the duck tribe that visits this country. Its clear black 

 and white plumage, the beautiful bronze on the wing, and the 

 bright red bill, give it a particularly gay and at the same time 

 neat appearance. They arrive here in March or the end of 

 February. They float in large flocks in the sheltered creeks 

 and bays, swimming high in the water and making a great show. 

 When the tide recedes, they take to the sands in search of their 



