20 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the purpose of providing resting-places for their young ; I also 

 think that the young, when sufficiently grown, make additional 

 ones for themselves. I should like to hear from any corre- 

 spondents who have observed this hitherto overlooked habit of 

 one of our most interesting water-birds. 



There is one other habit I may mention. In all of the Moor- 

 hens' nests I have found, it seems to be a general rule for the 

 hen to commence sitting as soon as the first egg is laid, so that 

 some of the young are hatched before others. Probably the male 

 bird commences an extra nest for these first-comers to use ; for 

 one additional nest under my notice was commenced before the 

 hen had finished sitting. 



