128 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



seems to slip off noiselessly into the water, and probably 

 dives until danger is past. Many anecdotes are related of 

 their ingenuity in escaping a rising of the waters if they 

 should have built their nest too close to the water's edge. 



There are usually about seven or eight eggs, of a reddish- 

 white colour, spotted and speckled thinly with orange 

 brown. Incubation lasts about three weeks. 



The young leave the nest as soon as hatched. 



Moor-hens have a sort of partial, or rather local, migra- 

 tion, which would appear to be caused by the necessity of 

 their food, or because of their desire for open water. They 

 are somewhat gregarious, a suitable abode naturally at- 

 tracting many birds ; but they will not be seen in flocks. 



Their natural fearlessness makes them quite at home in 

 a suitable aviary, where they will become very tame. 



