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the larger-fronted Asiatic bird being Gallinula orientalis, Horsfield. Examples from the 

 Philippines differ appreciably from our European bird in the size of the frontal plate, and 

 closely resemble those from America, except that they have a shorter wing. One in the British 

 Museum, stated to have come from Celebes (where, as a rule, Gallinula hcematopus, Temm., 

 alone occurs), measures — wing 5*75, tarsus 1*9, the frontal plate extending 0T2 beyond the 

 anterior angle of the eye; and a female from Amparo (Philippines), in my own collection, 

 measures — wing 6 - 4, tarsus 2*22, the frontal plate extending - 28 beyond the angle of the eye. 



The American form, Gallinula galeata (Crex galeata, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 80, 1823), 

 assimilates to the South-Asiatic form in measurements to some extent ; but, as a rule, the 

 wing is longer in American examples. Unfortunately, however, I have no series of Indian and 

 Malay-archipelago birds to compare, as there is only one in the British Museum from Celebes, 

 and, owing to the sudden death of my co-worker, the Marquis of Tweeddale, I cannot at present 

 make use of his rich collection, as I have hitherto done, and ere long shall be able to do again. 



Examples from British North America are large in size ; a male in my own collection, from 

 Kingston, Ontario, measures — wing 7'4, tarsus 2-12, and the frontal plate extends - 22 beyond 

 the angle of the eye. One from Mexico measures — wing 6-8, tarsus 2T, frontal plate 0-25 

 beyond the angle of the eye ; and examples in the British Museum and the collection of Messrs. 

 Salvin and Godman, from South America, vary in size as follows — wing 6*7 to 7*75, tarsus T95 

 to 2'3, the frontal plate extending from 0T5 to - 3 beyond the angle of the eye; and in some 

 this plate is very much swollen. The largest of these birds is a female from Southern Pern. In 

 the British Museum are two examples from Trinidad, which have the frontal plate very large, 

 and measure as follows — wing 6-6 and 6 - 8 inches, tarsus 1*92 and 2"0, the frontal plate extending 

 - 2 and 0-28 beyond the angle of the eye. 



The series I have examined is not sufficiently extensive to enable me to decide whether these 

 various forms should be treated as separate species or not ; but I certainly incline to the latter 

 view ; for although the extremes, when compared, appear to be so very distinct, it seems almost 

 impossible to draw a line of distinction anywhere between them. 



The Moorhen (or Waterhen, as this bird is called in many localities) frequents marshes, 

 ponds, streams, and large ditches where there is plenty of cover in the way of reeds, flags, and 

 other aquatic plants, and where, when disturbed, it can find suitable shelter. When unmolested 

 it is by no means shy, though it is cautious and wary ; and when there is a large pond near or in 

 pleasure-grounds, these birds get very tame towards people whom they see every day ; but they 

 are well able to discriminate between friends and strangers, a strange dog being recognized 

 as a possible enemy at once, and most carefully avoided. I have often seen Moorhens helping 

 themselves to the food placed out for poultry and ducks ; and they are quite capable of taking 

 care of themselves in case the poultry object to their presence. Although quiet and seemingly 

 inoffensive in a general way, the Moorhen is by no means a peaceable bird as regards others of its 

 own species ; and it will, if possible, drive off any intruder who may invade its home, attacking even 

 wild ducks and geese. A pair usually take possession of a small pond ; or if the pond be sufficiently 

 large, several pairs will be found there, each keeping to its own little district ; and in the spring 

 of the year many combats take place when the young birds are on the look-out for a suitable 

 nesting-place. Usually the Moorhen is to be seen swimming about in the open places between 



