Nests of Waterfowl. 371 
fed by the lake and communicating with it—dug 
where the muddy shore would otherwise prevent 
cattle approaching the shallow water—a quiet spot 
almost surrounded by bushes, is a favourite nesting- 
place. The brooks that run in are occasionally used by 
ducks in the same way, and one of the large ditches 
which is full of flags and rushes and well sheltered is 
now and then selected. But the ducks do not breed 
in any number, though they used to do so within 
living memory. 
The coots cannot be overlooked in spring ; they 
chase each other to and fro over the surface in the 
liveliest manner, and their nests are common.: Moor- 
hens, of course, are here in numbers. Why is it that 
they never seem to learn wisdom in -placing their 
nests? Whether in the lake, in the ponds, or brooks, 
they exhibit the same lack of foresight as to changes 
of level in the water ; so that frequently their nests 
are quite drowned out. Occasionally in the brooks 
the nest is floated bodily down the stream by a 
sudden rise. These mishaps they might easily avoid 
by placing them a little higher up the bank. 
In the lake there are several acres of withy bushes 
which when the water is low are on dry land, but in 
spring and early summer stand five or six feet deep. 
This is a favourite nesting-place with the coots: and 
they show the same neglect of the teachings of expe- 
rience ; for their nests are placed almost on the water 
and if it rises, as it often does, they are flooded. 
BB2 
