/ 



the female inclines to yellow ; the general hue of both fexes 

 is alike ; the female is the paleft coloured, and is fomewhat 

 iefs than the male. 



This prefent is an abundant fpecies, frequenting moft ftreams 

 and ponds, particularly fuch as are well flieltered with trees 

 and abound in fedge, amongft which it lies concealed during 

 the greater patt of the day ; towards evening it quits its 

 retreat, and may be found £kulking along under banks or trees 

 that overhang the ftream ; on the flighteft alarm it fquats 

 downy or if on the water dives to a diftance, and on its attain- 

 ing the furface, the head is the only part that can be obferved ; 

 it but feldom takes wing, and flies very badly, with its legs 

 dangling down in a very awkward manner ; whilft either 

 running or fwimming, its tail is continually flirted up ; it is faid 

 to perch on trees when alarmed, though its feet do not feem 

 calculated for that purpofe. 



The Moor-Hen (as it is moft ufually called) forms its neft 

 of coarfe grafs, ruflies, and flags, it is generally placed on a 

 Hoping bank, fcarcely above the water's level, owing to which 

 circumflance, mknyi of the nefts are deftroyed by the rifmg of 

 the water ; it lays eight to ten eggs of a light brown, fplalhed 

 with ruft colour; the young are at firft covered with a thick 

 black down, and take to the water almoft as foon as excluded, 

 though they continue to receive the attention of the parent 

 birds till towards the fall of the year. 



The female fits about twenty days, in which office fhe is. 

 frequently relieved by the male ; at this time if they are 

 alarmed, the male will often utter a flirill fcream, and 



fometimes 



