12 ’ BRITISH BIRDS# 
flowing of the water, like a boat ; and to prevent 
its being fwept away by floods, it is moored or 
fattened to the pendant ttalk of one of the reeds,* 
by which it is Ikreened from the fight, and fhelter- 
ed from the weather. The female lays from lix to 
eight eggs. The young brood do not long require 
the fettering care of the mother, but as foon as they 
are hatched, the whole of the little black fliapelefs 
family fcramble away from her, take to the water, 
feparate from each other, and fliift for themfelves. 
The flefh is faid to have a fine and delicate flavour, 
and is etteemed by epicures a delicious morfeL 
* Adorable is that divine wifdom, and infinite that provi- 
dential care, which inftrudls thefe birds thus to fecure the con- 
tinuance of their fpecies, and to provide for the fafety of their 
future offspring ! 
