368 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



preaching the shallow water a quiet spot almost 

 surrounded by bushes, is a favourite nesting-place. 

 The brooks that run in are occasionally used by ducks 

 in the same way, and one of the large ditches which 

 is full of flags and rushes and well sheltered is now 

 and then selected. But the ducks do not breed in 

 any number, though they used to do so within living 

 memory. 



The coots cannot be overlooked in spring ; they 

 chase each other to and fro over the surface in the 

 liveliest manner, and their nests are common. Moor- 

 hens, of course, are here in numbers. Why is it that 

 they never seem to learn wisdom in placing their 

 nests ? Whether in the lake, in the ponds, or brooks, 

 they exhibit the same lack of foresight as to changes 

 of level in the water ; so that frequently their nests 

 are quite drowned out. Occasionally in the brooks 

 the nest is floated bodily down the stream by a sudden 

 rise. These mishaps they might easily avoid by placing 

 them a little higher up the bank. 



In the lake there are several acres of withy bushes 

 which, when the water is low, are on dry land, but in 

 spring and early summer stand five or six feet deep. 

 This is a favourite nesting-place with the coots : and 

 they show the same neglect of the teachings of ex- 

 perience ; for their nests are placed almost on the 

 water, and if it rises, as it often does, they are 

 flooded. 



It is said that otters used to come to the mere many 

 years ago ; but they have never done so lately, though 



