326 THE WATER-HEN. 



near, gliding silently through the narrow channels, or 

 running with a light tread over the floating leaves, to 

 seek invisible shelter under the roots or hollows of the 

 bank. Not that she always prefers the water, for often 

 in the evening, she may be seen wandering in the new- 

 shorn grass of a hay-field, easily distinguishable by the 

 white feathers on her wing and vent, and a peculiar jerk 

 or flirting of the tail. But with all her shyness she is, 

 nevertheless, a tame and sociable bird; and if treated 

 with kindness will show a marked confidence. We have 

 seen Water-Hens visiting the lawn of an inclosed garden, 

 and remaining there, notwithstanding the constant intru- 

 sion and barking of parlour-dogs, Peacocks, and tame 

 Pheasants; and, again, not unfrequent intruders in a- 

 barn-yard, mixing in a party of poultry. But at the 

 residence of a clergyman near Cheadle, in Staffordshire, 

 a much more striking instance of familiarity has for some 

 years occurred. Adjacent to the lawn there is a moat, 

 on which a pair of Water-Hens were observed for several 

 seasons, always however leaving it in the Spring. By 

 being constantly fed they in time became quite tame, and 

 at length were induced to breed there, from the circum- 

 stance of a thorn-bush covered with ivy having fallen 

 into the water, in which they afterwards continued to- 

 build their nest. When the young are a few days old, 

 the old ones bring them up close to the drawing-room 

 window, where they are regularly fed with wheat : and, 

 as the lady of the house pays them the greatest atten- 

 tion, they have learned to look up to her as their natural 

 protectress and friend ; so much so, that one bird in par- 

 ticular, which was much persecuted by the rest, would, 

 when attacked, fly to her for refuge; and whenever she 

 calls, the whole flock, as tame as barn-door fowls, quit 

 the water, and assemble around her, to the number of 

 seventeen (November, 1833). They have also made 

 other friends in the dogs belonging to the family, 

 approaching them without fear, though hurrying off in 

 great alarm on the appearance of any strange dog. The 



