THE WATER-HEN. 121 



to the drawing-room window, where tliey are regu- 

 larly 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 hird in particular, 

 which was much persecuted hy the rest, would, 

 when attacked, fly to her for refuge; and, whenever 

 she calls, the whole flock, as tame as harn-door 

 fowls, quit the water, and assemble around her, 

 to the number of seventeen (November, 1833). 

 They have also made other friends, in the dogs 

 belonging to the family, approaching them without 

 fear, though hurrying off in great alarm, on the 

 appearance of any strange dog. The position of 

 the water, together with the familiarity of these 

 birds, have afforded many interesting particulars 

 respecting their habits. They have three broods in 

 a season the first early in April; and they begin to 

 lay again when the first hatch is about a fortnight 

 old. They lay eight or nine eggs, and sit about three 

 weeks, the cock alternately with the hen. The 

 nest in the thorn-bush is placed, usually, so high above 

 the surface of the water, that when the young are 

 first hatched, and have quitted it, they cannot climb 

 into it again; but, as a substitute, within an hour 

 after they leave the nest, the cock bird builds a 

 larger and more roomy nest for them, with sedges, 

 at the water's edge, which they can enter or retire 

 from at pleasure. For about a month, they are 

 fed by the old birds, but soon become very active in 

 taking flies and water-insects. Immediately on the 

 second hatch coming out, the young ones of the first 

 hatch assist the old ones in feeding and hovering 



