. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. by Sih,l.,,nc Co.] The WEKA-RAIL though fai}-I\ Idrgc, are uiclcn fight have referred. It is about as large as a pheasant, but lacks its splendour, being soberly clad in brow n and blaclc. Un- like its relative, it breeds in a burrow, which it digs for itself b}' the aid of its bill. The name " weka " was given it by the Maoris. The CoMM<)N Water- hen, or MOOR-IIEX, is one of the most familiar birds of the London parks. Although fre- quent enough tu be se
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. by Sih,l.,,nc Co.] The WEKA-RAIL though fai}-I\ Idrgc, are uiclcn fight have referred. It is about as large as a pheasant, but lacks its splendour, being soberly clad in brow n and blaclc. Un- like its relative, it breeds in a burrow, which it digs for itself b}' the aid of its bill. The name " weka " was given it by the Maoris. The CoMM<)N Water- hen, or MOOR-IIEX, is one of the most familiar birds of the London parks. Although fre- quent enough tu be seen upon streams and broads, it is, ne\'ertheless, sh\' and wary; but in the sanctuary of the public parks all reserve is thrown oft". The water-hen, like its allies, is an expert swimmer, in spite of the fact that the toes are not webbed ; on the contrar)', the}^ are \'ery long and slender. When alarmed, these birds will often submerge the body till only the beak projects abox'e water. All the members of this group are easily recognised by the bare patch of skin extending from the beak on to the top of the head. In the Ccicrrs this is white; in the Water-HEXS and Galeixules it is red. The coots and water-hens are clad in sober colours, grey or black; but the gallinules are gorgeously clad in purple, shaded with dark green, olive-broun, and black. AIaxtell's Galeixuee of New Zealand is probabh' now extinct, the last bird ha\'ing been killed in 1S98. The Fix-feet These are little-known birds, found in Africa, South America, South-east Asia, and Sumatra. They are closely related to the coots, but differ therefrom in many imp<:)rtant particulars. Like the coots, they are ri\'er-haunting birds, and ha\'e broad flaps of skin fringing the toes, which serve the purpose of a web; but the\' ha\'e much longer necks and tails than the coots and water-hens. Not much is known about Photo hy IV. F. figgo WATER-RAIL T/iis is a common British birdy seldom seen^ on account of its
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
