I 5 2 love's meinie. 



her husband, hved at Cheadle, in Staffordshire, 

 in the rectory moat, for several seasons, 

 "always however leaving it in the spring," 

 (for Scotland, supposably ?) : being constantly 

 fed, the pair became quite tame, built their 

 nest in a thorn-bush covered with ivy which 

 had fallen into the water; and "when the 

 young are a few days old, the old ones bring 

 them up close to the drawing-room window, 

 where they are regularly fed with wheat ; and, 

 as the lady of the house pays them the 

 greatest attention, they have learned to look up 

 to her as their natural protectress and friend ; 

 so much so, that one bird in particular, which 

 was much persecuted by the rest, would, when 

 attacked, fly to her for refuge ; and whenever 

 she calls, the whole flock, as tame as barn-door 

 fowls, quit the water, and assemble round her, 

 to the number of seventeen. (November, 1833.) 



120. " They have also made other friends in 

 the dogs belonging to the family, approaching 

 them without fear, though hurrying off with 

 great alarm on the appearance of a strange dog. 



" The position of the water, together with the 

 familiarity of these birds, has afforded many 

 interesting particulars respecting their habits. 



