180 BIRDS IN LONDON 



small, some used for bathing in summer, and 

 all for skating in winter, but so far nothing 

 has been done to make them attractive to the 

 birds ; and it may be added that a few beds of 

 rushes and other aquatic plants for cover, which 

 would make them suitable habitations for several 

 species of birds, would also greatly add to their 

 beauty. How little would have to be done to 

 give life and variety to these somewhat desolate- 

 looking pieces of water, may be seen on the 

 Heath itself. One of the smallest is the Leg 

 of Mutton Pond, on the West Heath, a rather 

 muddy pool where dogs are accustomed to 

 bathe. At its narrow end it has a small bed 

 of bulrushes, which has been inhabited by a 

 pair of moorhens for several years past. They 

 are very tame, and appear quite unconcerned 

 in the presence of people standing on the margin 

 to gaze at and admire them, and of the dogs 

 barking and splashing about in the water a few 

 yards away. There is no wire netting to divide 

 their own little domain from the dogs' bathing 

 place, and no railing on the bank. Yet here 

 they live all the year round very contentedly, 

 and rear brood after brood of young every 

 summer. Here, as in other places, it has been 



