the aquatic vegetation, and less seldom wandering about on the dry land. It frequently dodges 

 about amongst the reeds, and climbs amongst the densest herbage with ease, grasping the reeds 

 or flags with its long toes. It frequently perches on a root-stump or trunk of a tree overhanging 

 the water, and may be seen standing on one foot with its head drawn close in. It walks sedately, 

 lifting its feet very high as it steps along ; but if disturbed it throws its body forward and runs 

 with great speed to the nearest shelter ; and it is an adept in the art of concealing itself. Mac- 

 gillivray, one of our best field-naturalists and observers, remarks : — " It is curious to observe 

 with what facility it makes its escape in circumstances in which one might at first suppose it 

 impossible for it to get off in security. Thus you may come upon one feeding in a narrow 

 ditch filled with water. It instantly dives or flies off a short way ; and when you run up to the 

 place where it has just alighted, and think you are sure of it, you find no traces of its existence. 

 Watch as long as you please, no bird makes its appearance ; it has sunk, and concealed itself 

 somewhere along the margin, and there it will remain, with nothing but its bill above the 

 surface, until you have departed ; for it would require an eye sharper than that of a lynx to 

 discover it. Although, when accustomed to the molestation of man, it is very vigilant, easily 

 alarmed, and always prepared for flight, it is less wary in remote and unfrequented places. In 

 some of the rushy lakes of the islands of Harris and North Uist, I have found it easier to get 

 within shooting-distance than in the mill-dams and streams of the lower districts of Scotland, 

 where, should it observe you, even at a great distance, it is sure to be off instantly ; and by the 

 time you get to the place, it has concealed itself." 



The Moorhen swims with ease, and sits very lightly on the water. It dives and swims under 

 water, when pursued, with equal facility, propelling itself with its wings as well as with its feet. 

 Its flight is feeble and laboured until it attains a considerable altitude, when it flies with tolerable 

 speed. If it flies only a short distance, it flutters or flaps along heavily, its long legs dangling 

 down, nearly touching the water, and its neck stretched forward. Its voice is loud, and may be 

 heard at a considerable distance. Its call-note, which is often uttered in the evening when the 

 bird calls its mate, resembles the syllables crekrekrek ; and it utters a note also like the call of a 

 frog. When on passage, and when flying, especially in the evening and at night, one hears its 

 loud clear call kickickick, uttered now and again. The very young birds utter a rather querulous 

 piping note when following their parents; but at the first appearance of danger they become 

 as silent as possible. 



The Moorhen feeds both on vegetable and animal substances. Water-insects of various 

 kinds, small aquatic snails, coleoptera, worms, &c. appear to form its staple food; but it eats 

 also the tender shoots of grasses, seeds of aquatic plants, and grain of various kinds. It seeks 

 its food chiefly when swimming about, and but seldom on land, except early in the morning and 

 late in the evening, when, after a shower of rain, it will search amongst the grass for worms, 

 slugs, &c. 



Both male and female assist in collecting together the necessary materials for the construc- 

 tion of the nest, which is commenced directly the vegetation begins to make progress — the time 

 varying according to the mildness or severity of the season, from the middle of April to the 

 middle of May. The nest is placed either amongst the aquatic herbage on the bank close to 

 the edge of the water, amongst stumps or roots, or, though rarely, on a tree. Yarrell mentions 



