THE WATER HEN. 
587 
substances, which, they crack easily with their powerful bills. Their very long toes enable them 
to walk upon the floating herbage nearly as well as the Jacanas, and upon land they are very 
quick of foot. They use their long toes for carrying food to their beak, a habit which has 
often been observed in the common coot. 
The Hyacinthine Grallinule is spread over a large extent of range, being found in many parts 
of Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is graceful and quick in its movements, but is said to be 
rather a stupid bird. Perhaps future observers may give a better account of its intellect. 
The nest of this species is made in the sedgy parts of the morasses which it frequents, and con- 
tains a rather small number of nearly white eggs. 
HYACINTHINE CrALLINULE.— Porphyt'io veterum. 
The color of the Hyacinthine Grallinule is rich blue, taking a dark indigo tone upon the 
back, and assuming a beautiful turquoise hue upon the head, neck, throat, and breast. The 
under tail-coverts are white, the bill is light red, and the legs and feet are pinky -red. The 
length of this bird is about eighteen inches. 
Our most familiar example of the Gfallinules is the Water Hex, sometimes called the 
Moor Hex. 
This bird may be seen in plenty in every river in Europe, and mostly on every pond 
or sheet of water where the reedy or rushy banks offer it a refuge. It is a bold bird, though 
sufficiently wary on occasions : and while it will slip quickly out of sight of a dog or a 
man with a gun, will swim about with perfect self-possession in a pond by the side of a 
railway, quite undisturbed by the sound and sight of the rushing train. When startled it 
flies rapidly across the water with quick beating wings and dangling legs, leaving a long track 
behind it, which will remain for some little time, like the wake of a ship. As it nears its 
