242 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



in the depth of shadow. Out of it a narrow and swift 

 current runs into that slow, straight brook which 

 bounds the right side of the meadow. Here in the long 

 grass and rushes growing luxuriantly between the 

 underwood lurk the moor-hens, building their nests on 

 bunches of rushes against the bank and almost level 

 with the water. Though but barely hatched, and 

 chips of shell clinging to their backs, the tiny fledg- 

 lings swim at once if alarmed. When a little older 

 they creep about on the miniature terraces formed along 

 the banks by the constant running to and fro of water- 

 rats, or stand on a broken branch bent down by its 

 own weight into the water, yet still attached to the 

 stem, puffing up their dark feathers like a black ball. 



If all be quiet, the moor-hens come out now and 

 then into the meadow ; and then, as they stand up- 

 right out of the water, the peculiar way in which their 

 tails, white marked, are turned upwards is visible. 

 The bill is of a fine colour almost the " orange - 

 tawny " of the blackbird, set in thick red coral at its 

 base. Under the shallow water at the mouth of the 

 pond the marks of their feet on the mud may be traced : 

 they run swiftly, and depend upon that speed and 

 the skilful tricks they practise in diving turning 

 back and dodging under water like a hare in the 

 fields to escape from pursuit, rather than on their 

 wings. Through the thick green flags they creep, 

 and into the holes the water-rats have made, or be- 

 hind and under the natural cavities in the stoles upon 

 the bank. They beat the water with their wings when 



