284 GRALL^E. 



Jesse, observes, " The Moor-hen displays some- 

 times a singular degree of foresight in her care 

 for her young. It is well known that she builds 

 her nest amongst sedges and bulrushes, and ge- 

 nerally pretty close to the water, as it is there 

 less likely to be observed. In places, however, 

 where anything like a flood is likely to take 

 place, a second nest, more out of the reach of the 

 water, is constructed, which is intended to be 

 in readiness in case a removal of the eggs or 

 young ones should be found necessary. This 

 observation was made by a family residing at an 

 old priory in Surrey, where Moor-hens abound, 

 and where the fact was too often witnessed by 

 themselves and others, to leave any doubt upon 

 their minds."* 



" During the early part of the summer of 

 1835," observes Mr. Selby, " a pair of Water- 

 hens built their nest by the margin of the orna- 

 mental pond at Bell's Hill, a piece of water of 

 considerable extent, and ordinarily fed by a spring 

 from the height above, but into which the con- 

 tents of another large pond can occasionally be 

 admitted. This was done while the female was 

 sitting ; and as the nest had been built when the 

 water-level stood low, the sudden influx of this 

 large body of water from the second pond caused 

 a rise of several inches, so as to threaten the 

 speedy immersion and consequent destruction of 

 the eggs. This the birds seem to have been 

 aware of, and immediately took precautions against 

 so imminent 'a danger ; for when the gardener, 

 upon whose veracity I can safely rely, seeing the 

 sudden rise of the water, went to look after the 



* Gleanings, p. 215. 



