THE WATER-HEN. 
119 
the water-lily, or persicaria ( Polygonum amphibium). 
In the middle of any such little open space she may 
be usually detected, swimming about with a joyous 
sort of jerking motion, but on the least rustle to 
excite a suspicion that an enemy is near, gliding 
silently through the narrow channels, or running 
with a light tread over the floating leaves, to seek 
invisible shelter under the roots or hollows of the 
bank. Not that she always prefers the water,— for 
often in the evening, she may be seen wandering in 
the new-shorn grass of a hay-field, easily distin- 
guishable by the white feathers on her wing and 
vent, and a peculiar jerk or flirting of the tail. But 
with all her shyness, she is, nevertheless, a tame 
and sociable bird ; and, if treated with kindness, 
will show a marked confidence. We have seen 
Water-Hens visiting the lawn of an inclosed garden, 
and remaining there, notwithstanding the constant 
intrusion and barking of parlour-dogs, Peacocks, 
and tame Pheasants; and again, not unfrequent 
intruders in a barn-yard, mixing in a party of 
poultry. But, at the residence of a clergyman, near 
Cheadle, in Staffordshire, a much more striking 
instance of familiarity has for some years occurred. 
Adjacent to the lawn there is a moat, on which a 
pair of Water-Hens were observed for several sea- 
sons, always, however, leaving it in the Spring. By 
being constantly fed, they in time became quite 
tame, and at length, were induced to breed there, 
from the circumstance of a thorn-bush, covered with 
ivy, having fallen into the water, in which they after- 
wards continued to build their nest. When the young 
are a few days old, the old ones bring them up close 
