BIRDS. 71 



1 lay in hiding for the other three, I became aware 

 of strange sounds proceeding from a little reed- 

 bed on my right hand, where I knew one of their 

 parents, at any rate, to be in hiding. It was just 

 like a horse eating hay, and . kept on in response 

 to the calls of the youngsters in my cap. In a 

 while I was joined by my brother, to whom I said, 

 " Hark ! do you hear anything ? " After listening 

 a while he said, "Yes." 



" What does it sound like ? " I asked. 



"A horse munching hay," he answered. 



I have no doubt whatever but that it was made 

 by a moorhen, for when we released the young 

 ones and they ceased to call and disappeared 

 amongst the reeds, the munching sound stopped. 



A HIGHLAND COTTER S HUT, 



