MOOR-HEN. 141 



ORALLATORES. RALLIDJE. 



PLATE CCXIV. 



MOOR-HEN. 



GALLINULA CHLOROPUS. 



The Moor-hen is a common and half-domesticated in- 

 habitant, throughout the year, of almost all our rivers, ponds, 

 streams, and lakes, preferring slow streams and still water to 

 rapids, and the shelter of flags and sedges to open ground. 



Throughout Europe, from Siberia to the most southern 

 extremities it is also plentiful, but in Denmark and Sweden 

 it is not frequent ; we may therefore conclude that the milder 

 and warmer climates suit its habits better than the cold. 

 In Africa the Moor-hen is met with by most observing tra- 

 vellers as far south as the Cape. 



During the summer months this bird frequents our inland 

 rivers, ponds, and most of the quiet water-courses , but dur- 

 ing frosty weather it is driven from some of them by the ice, 

 and resorts naturally to the sharper streams or very sheltered 

 creeks that remain open. 



During the winter it is very amusing to go in search of the 

 Moor-hen, particularly when the water is open and the sedges 

 half decayed, as the bird generally runs for shelter under some 

 root of a willow or alder that grows by the side of the water, 

 and remains for a considerable time in its safe retreat just out 

 of reach of a dog, who cannot easily dislodge it in any other 



VOL. V. N 



