BEHIND THE VEIL IN BIRDLAND 



The nest of the Water Rail, which is built of sedge, grasses, and 

 flags, is cunningly concealed amongst the grasses and reeds which 

 the bird frequents. Occasionally a somewhat more substantial nest 

 is built on the water. When the young birds leave their nest they 

 give continually a short wailing cry, repeated several times, very 

 similar to that made by the otter. 



Birds of the water and marsh have many enemies, and it is a 

 fact, I believe, that such birds always lay more eggs than those 

 which have few. The Gannet and many sea-birds which are well 

 able to care for themselves only lay one egg, but the Water Rail, 

 Coot, Moorhen, and Ducks all lay large clutches, and yet even 

 then they seldom rear all. The Coot seems specially unfortunate 

 with its young, and I have seen as many as eight young on 

 certain lakes, and the fish have taken six or seven out of the 

 brood before they were many days old. 



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