200 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



three from afar, and yet the bird is standing motionless 

 all the time, as I have several times tested. Its singular 

 call I have often imitated by drawing my nail across the 

 teeth of a pocket-comb, and thus inducing its near 

 approach. 



The female sits very closely on her eggs so closely, 

 indeed, as not unfrequently to lose her life by the 

 mower's scythe ; I have known two instances of this, in 

 one of which the poor bird was almost cut in two. A 

 single specimen of the Spotted Crake (Crex porzana) 

 was killed in a swampy piece of ground by the stream 

 at Budby, in October, 1863. I have known no other 

 instance of its presence with us. 



All the streams which intersect our neighbourhood, 

 and especially the large lakes in the parks, are abun- 

 dantly stocked with the Water-hen (Gallinula chloropus) . 

 In the streams it only frequents the stiller reaches, where 

 the banks are fringed with reeds or bushy aquatic plants, 

 which afford it concealment when required. It is, how- 

 ever, by no means a shy bird, and where its haunts are 

 in the neighbourhood of houses it becomes comparatively 

 bold. At Budby the stream washes the side of the turn- 

 pike road, which on the other side is bounded by a row 

 of houses ; here the water-hens mingle with the ducks 

 and geese which throng the water from a neighbouring 

 farmyard, and, regardless of passers-by, walk fearlessly 

 on the road, feeding amongst their tame companions. 

 In Thoresby Park they are equally tame, frequenting 

 the lawns and gardens, and the park itself in the vicinity 

 of the water, especially near the bridge leading to the 

 house, and running about amongst the sheep and deer. 

 A few pairs inhabit a deep still part of the stream flow- 

 ing through our village, the banks on either side being 



