. 
The Water-Hen. 373 
ength conciliated so entirely, that it was his regular 
custom to resort to the fireside as soon as it grew dark, 
and spend the evening and night with his two associates, 
sitting close by them, and partaking of the comforts of a 
warm hearth. As soon as spring appeared, he discon- 
tinued his visits to the house, and betook himself to the 
garden ; but, on the approach of winter, he had recourse 
to his old shelter and friends, who received him very 
cordially. Security was productive of insolence ; what 
was at first obtained with caution, was afterwards taken 
without reserve; he frequently amused himself with 
washing in the bowl which was set for the dog to drink 
out of; and while he was thus employed, he showed 
marks of the greatest indignation if either of his com- 
panions presumed to interrupt him. He died in the 
asylum he had thus chosen, being choked with something 
that he had picked up from the floor. 
THE WATER-HEN, (Gallinvla chhropus,) 
Is also called the Moor-Hen, on Moor-Coot, and the Galli- 
nide. The breast is of a lead-colour, the lower part of 
the body inclining to ash-colour, and the back dark olive 
brown. As she swims or walks, she often flirts up her 
tail. Water-hens feed upon aquatic plants and roots, 
and upon the small insects which adhere to them ; they 
grow fat about the latter end of September, and their 
flesh is then considered nearly equal to that of the teal ; 
