22 THE NATURAL HISTORY 
the fame trouble, and is purfued by the dogs with 
the fame eagernefs, and he flies only when the 
danger is very great. He is found during the | 
‘ greateft part of Winter near fprings -that are 
not frozen; yet he has a feafon for migrating, 
dike the Land Rails, and in Spring and Autumn 
has been feen pafling over the ifland of Malta. _ 
A French gentleman endeavoured to bring 
fome up tame: they were very well for a fhort 
time, but about a fortnight after they were taken, 
their long legs became paralytic, that is, they lot — 
the ufe of them; they could only drag themfelves 
along upon their knees, and foon after died. 
This fpecies is common in England; it fre. 
quents the edges of ponds and rivulets that are 
well furnifhed with cover; whilft it flies its legs 
‘hang down; it frequently takes to the water, and 
{wims tolerably well; and often runs on the fur- 
_~ face, if there be weeds to bear it up. - | 
_ The fpotted Gallinule, or little Water Rail’s 
forehead, and under part of its neck, is afh-colour; 
the two intermediate tail-feathers are {potted with 
white ; the beak and feet are a little olive-co- 
loured. 
It makes its appearance in the fame feafons as 
the common Water Rail, frequents pools and 
marfhes, and makes its neft among the reeds ; the 
4 neft 

