Pond Life 
unsuspected. Now all is quiet it has 
come out of its hiding-place, and after 
looking warily round in every direction 
will go on with its own business. Per- 
haps it has a nest or even a brood of 
young ones near at hand, for they are as 
clever as the old ones in hiding away, 
even when only a day or two old. Now 
it thinks that the coast is clear, there is a 
low cluck, and seven or eight small black 
puff-balls appear from nowhere and join 
the anxious mother. I have known a 
little moorhen, no bigger than a mouse, 
dive and remain completely under water 
for a minute—sixty seconds by my watch. 
And if you think that isn’t a very long 
time, just try it yourself. Put your ~~. 
head right under water and keep it there 
as long as ever you can, while somebody 
else keeps time. You will be surprised 
