THE WATER-HEN. 



267 



resort to ponds, pools, and rivers, where, under cover 

 of any sort of aquatic or marsh, vegetation, their 

 breeding places may be constantly discovered, and 

 their nests found amid the reeds and roots, rather 

 high up, and sometimes six or seven feet from the 

 water, in the brushwood or willow reeds. Its habits 

 are by no means shy, and it is a beautiful creature in 



THE WATER-HEN 



its gayest plumage. Jardine mentions, that it will 

 even come near dwelling-places, where food is regu- 

 larly placed for it. On the least alarm, it will duck 

 its head and fore part of body under the water, and 

 then plunge into the first hole or cover of brushwood, 

 where its bill alone will be protruded above the still 

 water of its preferred localities. It is fond of perch- 

 ing on low trees or bushes ; and, on emergencies, will 



