228 
NATURE NOTES. 
the edge of the bank, about twenty yards away, a pair of moor- 
hens were located v/ith a young brood around them. From the 
first these birds watched the dabchicks with jealous and aggres- 
sive eyes, and before the hen had sat for many hours, boldly bore 
down upon the nest, drove away its lawful occupants and deliber- 
ately tore it to pieces, which they were able to do with ease in the 
shallow depth. After a short interval the dabchicks repaired 
the damage and the hen recommenced sitting, the male assidu- 
ously feeding her meanwhile. Again and again, however, they 
were attacked by the moorhens and their little home ruthlessly 
destroyed. The park authorities had their attention called to 
the matter by Sergeant Kimber, and attempts were made bj’ 
placing boards and wire netting to afford the dabchicks protection, 
but it was evident that their suspicions would not allow them 'to 
take advantage of this. 
So a month went by, and the birds took up a fresh position 
and built another nest on the further side of the island. Here 
they were allowed to remain unmolested for nearly a week, during 
which time the moorhens had a second brood of their own to 
look after, but at the end of this period the latter renewed their 
attack and once more dismantled the nest. For several days 
afterwards the dabchicks hung disconsolately about, but at the 
commencement of July adopted an entirely new situation on 
some floating pieces of wood, moored out five or six yards from 
the side. Upon this frail structure they re-started building, 
although from the first much hampered by the swans, which are 
in the habit of mounting on the wood to preen their feathers. 
It was hoped that their old enemies had ceased their relentless 
warfare, but on the 1 5th of the month, hostilities were resumed. 
The dabchicks in their new locality were better able to defend 
themselves, and a battle-royal, lasting for nearly half an hour, 
ensued, in which they fought desperately, dashing the water in 
volumes over their opponents and uttering piteous cries ; but 
were eventually worsted and driven off. For some hours they 
disappeared altogether until dusk, when they once more took 
up their old quarters by the bank. There they finished, a week 
later, a fresh nest, much larger than the previous ones, but this 
was soon doomed to destruction, not by the moorhens, but by 
the swans, who simply devoured it. The unfortunate dabchicks 
tliereupon returned to the floating wood, and built another nest, 
which met with the same fate as the last, being eaten by the 
swans. It should be mentioned that the nests were principally 
composed of edible green weed — believed to be Conferva rtvularis 
(crow silk, or flannel weed) — whicli grows at the bottom of the 
lake, and is eagerly sought after by water-fowl as well as fish, 
roach especially. Later on the dabchicks renewed their efforts, 
but on every fresh attempt they were frustrated either by the 
moorhens or the swans. They were seen about the lake until 
early in September, and then departed altogether. From the 
reception they met with it is hardly probable that they will 
return another year. 
