THE MOORHEN. 
821 
the presence of another one of its species. Every intruder 
in the well-won heat is immediately assailed by the male 
bird, and eventually driven away. The males, indeed, 
only seem to care to meet for the pleasure of fighting 
a duel; and are they not plucky ? They rush savagely at 
one another, half running, half swimming over the water, 
with outspread plumage and lowered heads, pecking and 
scratching each other with beak and claws, and striking 
even with the wings; the female supports her battling 
partner to the best of her ability. Jealousy, in matters 
connected with the tender passion, may probably be the 
principal cause of such bitter warfare; yet the bullying 
character of the Moorhen does not confine itself to others 
of its own species, but is extended to other water-fowl, 
such as Ducks and Geese, for instance, which our brave 
little friend will attack, and sometimes succeed in driving 
off the field. 
Old birds always breed earlier than younger ones only 
just paired, and which have to seek a home for them¬ 
selves. Usually, in the case of the older pairs, the male 
puts in an appearance somewhat earlier than his mate, 
for whom he, during his grass-widowerhood, calls inces¬ 
santly, until she at length arrives. The readiness with 
which she accepts each amatory demonstration on 
the part of her now happy partner,—such as immediate 
preparations for nesting, &c.,—affords proof presumptive 
that the pair have been matched together for years past. 
If the pond contains any quantity of dead reeds the 
reunited pair immediately commence the labour of build¬ 
ing. The nest itself is usually placed near the inner 
edge of the sedge nearest the water, either on some 
tussock of sedge that has been trodden down, or on some 
other suitable ’vantage spot; often, however, on the water 
