OF BINDS. 
183 
MOOR-HEN. 
The Moor-Hen is larger than the plover, 
and is also called the Water-Hen. The 
breast is of a lead colour, the belly inclining 
to grey or ash colour, and the back all over is 
black. They feed upon wutery grass and 
roots, and upon tlic small insects which 
adhere to them; they grow fat, and their 
flesh is esteemed for its taste next to that of 
the teal; yet it is seldom that you can deprive 
it entirely of its fishy taste. They form their 
nests upon low trees and shrubs by the water 
side, breeding twice or thrice in the course 
of a summer: the eggs are white, with a 
tincture of green, dashed with brown spots. 
This bird must not be mistaken for one 
called the moor-game, which is described in 
another part of this work. 
