120 THE WATER-HEN. 



the water-lily, or persicaria (Polygonum amphibium). 

 In the middle of any such little open space she may 

 be usually detected, swimming about with a joyous 

 sort of jerking motion, but on the least rustle to 

 excite a 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 

 bank. Not that she always prefers the water, for 

 often in the evening, she may be seen wandering in 

 the new-shorn grass of a hay-field, easily distin- 

 guishable 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, nevertheless, a tame 

 and sociable bird; and, if treated with kindness, 

 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 sea- 

 sons, 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-busb, covered with 

 ivy, having fallen into the water, in which they after- 

 wards continued to build their nest. When the young 

 are a few days old, the old ones bring them up close 



