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THE NESTING HABITS OF MOOK-HENS 

 {GALLINULA CHLOROPUS). 



By Oliver G. Pike. 



During some years past there has been much discussion in 

 * The Zoologist ' concerning the nesting habits of Moor-hens. 

 Opinion among some ornithologists still seems to be divided as 

 to whether these birds cover their eggs on leaving their nests. 

 During four years I have had several pairs of Moor-hens under 

 observation; and in the ease of dozens of nests I have never seen 

 the eggs covered. During the spring of 1900 I found a nest 

 carefully domed over with reeds, almost perfectly hiding the con- 

 tents from any egg-stealing bird that might pass over; but, with 

 this one exception, I have never known of a Moor-hen trying to 

 conceal her eggs. 



It is not with this question, however, that I would particularly 

 deal, but rather with an overlooked habit of this species. 



On July 3rd, 1899, I roused a Moor-hen from her nest, which 

 contained no eggs ; and, thinking perhaps that the eggs might be 

 covered, I carefully examined it. There were some flat reed- 

 blades which had the appearance of being recently placed there, 

 but there were no eggs underneath. A little farther up stream 

 I found another nest built in a very exposed situation, but still 

 containing no eggs. The next day I visited the nest first men- 

 tioned ; I cautiously approached, and again saw the hen sitting, 

 her head being tucked under one wing. She was probably asleep, 

 but on my making a noise she instantly sat up and then jumped 

 off the nest, when I was surprised to see three nearly full-grown 

 young birds emerge from beneath her. The nest was an ex- 

 ceptionally large one, and the bird when sitting seemed to be 

 larger than usual, the three young which she was covering of 

 course accounting for her apparent large dimensions. About 

 six feet from the first nest another had been commenced, but 

 this was smaller than the other. I waited for some time, hoping 

 Zool. 4th ser. vol. V., January, 1901. c 



