103 
'the water, but not often. The eggs are generally 
four in number, of a stone colour, spotted with 
dirty brown. The eggs aie large for the size of the 
bird, and much pointed towards one end, and can 
be obtained from April to July, both months in¬ 
clusive. 
Gallinula Chlorojiiis, the Moor Hen, is a very 
common bird, being met with all along the banks of 
the Tay, both above and below Perth. It used to 
be very common about the lade at the top of the 
South Inch, and it is also very plentiful about the 
Earn. The moor hen is a good swimmer (although 
there is just the least appearance of webs about the 
feet), and a first-rate diver, using both legs and wings 
under water almost the same as if flying through, the 
air. It is capable of remaining a long time under 
the surface in deep water. It will cross a good large 
river at one dive, not appearing until it walks right 
out on the other side on its feet. When pursued the 
bird will hide in a hole or go into a drain-pipe like a 
rat. The moor hen builds its nest generally on a 
bush or small tree overhanging the water, or close 
by. The nest is rather tidy, well lined with grass, 
bits of rags, and such like. It lays from five to 
eight eggs. In April and May, and sometimes even 
as late as June, I have had the eggs. They are 
of a cream coloured ground, spotted less or more 
with reddish brown. 
Fulica atra, the Coot, very much resembles the 
moor hen in its nature and habits, and they are very 
often to be found living and feeding in the same pool 
together. The coot makes good long journeys at 
times, travelling from one pool or lake to another, 
always in the night, when it may be heard uttering 
its short monotonous cry high over head. It nestles 
in the month of April, budding among rushes or a 
tuft of grass off the land a short distance, the nest 
generally sitting on the surface of the water, sup¬ 
ported by the reeds, which are interwoven under¬ 
neath. The eggs are from seven to ten, and some¬ 
times even more, spotted with brown on a dirty 
white ground. The coot is quite at home on land as 
well as on water, coming on shore to feed in the 
