THE MOOR-HEX. 



845 



in rather large nasal groove. About one-fourth of tibia bare ; tarsus 

 compressed and strong ; toes very long and slender (hind one much 

 smaller), membrane beneath dilated at sides ; claws strong, slightly 

 curved, much compressed and sharp. 



Soft parts. — (ad.) Bill and shield bright red, tip bright yellow 

 (duller Oct. to Nov.) ; legs and feet green, yellowish on front of 

 tarsus and on tibia which has red-orange " garter " ; iris crimson 

 but sometimes red-brown. Fully grown juvenile and 1st winter bill 

 and shield greenish-brown, legs and feet olive-green, ' ; garter " 

 yellowish, iris grey-brown. Colouring becomes like adult occasion- 

 ally as carry as Oct but usually between Dec. and March. Nestling 



Feet of— A. The Coot (Fulica a. atra). B. The Moor-Hen (Gailinula ch. cMoropus). 



bill and shield bright pink, tip yellow gradually becoming duller 

 when feathers begin to grow ; skin above eyes blue ; legs and feet 

 black ; iris dark brown. 



Characters and allied forms. — G. ch, parvifrons (India to China) 

 is smaller. A number of other forms outside Palsearctic region. 

 Distinguished from other British Rallidse by frontal shield and long 

 toes not lobed. 



Field -characters. — Provided there be cover, resorts indifferently 

 to lakes, pools, the smallest ponds, rivers, ditches and swamps. 

 Usually feeds among rough herbage or in shallow water, but at 

 times in open on grass-lands and even garden -lawns. Easily 

 recognized by black plumage with oblique white stripes on flanks, 

 white under tail-coverts, flirted when bird is alarmed or angry, 

 green, red-gartered legs, and vermilion shield on fore-head — green 

 in immature bird. Swims well with a characteristic bobbing action 

 and dives upon occasion. Call, a loud sudden " prruk " ; female 



