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COMMON GALLINULE. 
strict search to find it, allowing the stems of grasses 
and brushwood to be put aside without moving ; 
and, when discovered, is seen squatted under water, 
immoveable, and permitting itself to be lifted, mak- 
ing no struggle for escape until secured. It breeds 
among reeds or roots of brush, by the water’s edge, 
supporting the nest upon them ; and an instance is 
mentioned, by Rusticus of Godaiming, where the 
nest was placed on the branch of a spruce, twenty 
feet from the water. It frequently perches on bushes 
near the water, and on trees at a considerable height, 
particularly when alarmed. 
The European range of the Common Gallinule is 
general and extensive. Out of Europe it appears 
limited, and we do not trace it authentically very 
widely ; Dr. Smith is said to have brought it from 
Southern Africa.* 
An adult Water-hen is a beautiful bird in spring ; 
the base of the bill, and shield on the forehead, now 
considerably enlarged, is a bright red, and contrasts 
well, or enlivens the deep blackish-grey of the head, 
throat, neck, and under parts ; this colour shades 
into a deep oil-green on the upper parts, at this season 
glossed with rich green reflections, which are spread 
on the sides of the breast ; the quills are nearly pale 
umber-brown, the outer edge of the first, with the 
bend of the wing, white ; the tail rounded at the tip, 
is black, shading into deep oil-green, and shows the 
narrow cross dark markings incident to structure, 
seen in various incessorial birds, and in the aquatic 
* Yarrell. 
