OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 81 



through the surrounding herbage, where she remains until all is safe again. The 

 young chicks, clothed in jet-black down, take to the water immediately, and are 

 accompanied by both parents. They may sometimes be seen running over the 

 broad, floating leaves of the water-lily and the "candock." It is probable that 

 this species rears two broods in the year, as fresh eggs are not unfrequently found 

 in July, although, of course, these may be the produce of birds where the earlier 

 clutch has been destroyed. 



Diagnostic characters. — Ballus, with the wing coverts brown and the 

 breast uniform grey, with no black streak through the eye, with the upper parts 

 olive-brown streaked vdth darker brown, the under parts slate-grey, shading into 

 black on the abdomen, flanks and axillaries, all of which are barred with white. 

 Length, 11 inches. 



