54 MOOR- HEN. 



selves to remove them, when threatened with destruction by the rising 

 of the water; fresh materials being in each case brought together. 

 J. H. Gurney, Esq. and W. B. Fisher, Esq. have recorded an instance 

 in which they knew the nest of a Moor-Hen placed in a fir plantation 

 at a distance of a quarter of a mile from any water. I have seen 

 one myself placed at some height over the water on a fallen branch 

 of a tree, which formed a natural bridge over a river. 



The eggs are usually five, six, seven, or eight, in number; nine or 

 ten have, however, been often seen in one nest. They are of a reddish 

 or yellowish white colour, spotted and speckled all over with reddish 

 brown; they vary exceedingly in size. Three broods are commonly 

 reared in the year, sometimes it has been thought even four; the first 

 eggs are laid the end of April or in May, and are, in early seasons 

 or localities, hatched in the latter month, but otherwise not till June. 

 It is a curious fact that the youngest brood is carefully and kindly 

 attended to by that which is its elder, as both are at the same time 

 by the parents, but when a third comes, it is to the abandonment of 

 the first. 



Incubation continues three weeks. The young soon leave the nest, 

 still attended by their mother, who leads them to the water, but, for 

 a time they return to it at night for shelter. The hen takes tKe 

 young at times under her wings. 



