306 THE WATER-HEN. 



suspicion that an enemy is near, gliding silently through the 

 narrow channels, or running with a light tread over the 

 floating leaves, to seek invisible shelter under the roots or 

 hollows of the hank. Not that she always prefers the water, 

 for often in the evening she may he seen wandering in the 

 new-shorn grass of a hay-field, easily distinguishable by the 

 white feathers on her wing and vent, and a peculiar jerk or 

 flirting of the tail. But with all her shyness, she is, never- 

 theless, a tame and sociable bird, and if treated with kind- 

 ness, will show a marked confidence. We have seen Water- 

 Hens visiting the lawn of an inclosed garden, and remaining 

 there, notwithstanding the constant intrusion and barking of 

 parlour-dogs, Peacocks, and tame Pheasants : and, again, not 

 unfrequent intruders in a barn-yard, mixing in a party of 

 poultry. But at the residence of a clergyman near Cheadle, 

 in Staffordshire, a much more striking instance of familiarity 

 has for some years occurred. Adjacent to the lawn there is 

 a moat, on which a pair of Water- Hens were observed for 

 several seasons, always however leaving it in the Spring. 

 By being constantly fed, they in time became quite tame, and 

 at length were induced to breed there, from the circumstance 

 of a thorn-bush covered with ivy having fallen into the water, 

 in which they afterwards continued to build their nest. 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 around her, to the number of seven^ 

 teen (November, 1833). 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. They have. 



