120 
THE WATER-HEN. 
to the drawing-room window, where they are regu- 
larly fed with wheat; and, as the lady of the house 
pays them the greatest attention, they have learned 
to look up to her as their natural protectress and 
friend ; so much so, that one bird in particular, 
which was much persecuted by the rest, would, 
when attacked, fly to her for refuge ; and, whenever 
she calls, the whole flock, as tame as barn-door 
fowls, quit the water, and assemble around her, 
to the number of seventeen (November, 1833). 
They have also made other friends, in the dogs 
belonging to the family,— approaching them without 
fear, though hurrying off in great alarm, on the 
appearance of any strange dog. The position of 
the water, together with the familiarity of these 
birds, have afforded many interesting particulars 
respecting their habits. They have three broods in 
a season— the first early in April ; and they begin to 
lay again when the first hatch is about a fortnight 
old. They lay eight or nine eggs, and sit about three 
weeks,— the cock alternately with the hen. The 
nest in the thorn-bush is placed, usually, so high above 
the surface of the water, that when the young are 
first hatched, and have quitted it, they cannot climb 
into it again ; but as a substitute, within an hour 
after they leave the nest, the cock bird builds a 
larger and more roomy nest for them, with sedges, 
at the waters edge, which they can enter or retire 
from at pleasure. For about a month, they are 
fed by the old birds, but soon become very active in 
taking flies and water-insects. Immediately on the 
second hatch coming out, the young ones of the first 
hatch assist the old ones in feeding and hovering 
