170 IN BIRD -LAND 



I descended from the tree making sundry vows 

 never to try to photograph a Moor-hen again ; 

 but on second thought, and after the stiffness 

 from sitting in the tree had worn off, I decided 

 to try once more, and the next time to hide the 

 camera in another place, while retiring to a 

 distance of about one hundred yards, watching 

 the movements of the bird with a field-glass. 

 On this occasion the Moor-hen herself seemed 

 to fincl some amusement in swimming round and 

 round, as might have been imagined, for my 

 edification, and, of course, always keeping just 

 out of focus of the camera lens. These move- 

 ments were continued until it became too dark 

 to expose a plate, so that I removed the camera, 

 leaving the heap of dead grass under which it 

 was placed exactly as it had been. 



Before going home I walked a little farther 

 down-stream, and happened to come upon the 

 Wild Duck, which was sitting on the bank with 

 her five ducklings under her wings. I did not 

 disturb her, but returned to the Moor-hen, and 

 then saw that that artful bird was well seated 

 on her nest, with head tucked comfortably under 

 one wing, and apparently as though she had 

 been there for hours instead of only a few minutes ! 

 My emotions at that moment were not of the 



