REMARKABLE INSTINCT. 37 



of other wonders. Just as nay head reached 

 the nest flap, flap out came a moor-hen, and, 

 dropping to the water, made off in a direct line 

 along its surface, and was at last lost in the rushes 

 of a distant bank, leaving an evanescent track 

 along the water. The nest contained seven eggs. 

 The situation was an odd one for a moor-hen, 

 but there was a reason for it. The rising of the 

 water in the pond frequently flooded the banks of 

 the island, and, as I had before witnessed, had 

 destroyed several broods by immersion." 



A highly picturesque object on the Thames last 

 summer (1850), was a swan's nest, represented in 

 the next page. The bird was perfectly unconcerned 

 at the constant passage of large and small boats. 



The following interesting anecdote is related by 

 Mr. Yarrell, about a swan and her nest. " This 

 swan was eighteen or nineteen years old, had 

 brought up many broods, and was highly valued 

 by the neighbours. She exhibited, some eight or 

 nine years past, one of the most remarkable in- 

 stances of the powers of instinct that was ever 

 recorded. She was sitting on four or five eggs, 

 and was observed to be very busy in collecting 

 weeds, grasses, &c. to raise her nest; a farming 

 man was ordered to take down half a load of 



