THE MOORHEN. 
828 
water about the nest grew less and less, still the mother 
would not forsake her eggs. At last the small remaining 
pool itself had to be filled up, and one of the labourers 
in shooting a barrow-load of earth managed so clumsily 
as to upset a portion of the mould upon the bird and 
nest, still she would not abandon her charge; so 
Naumann stopped the work until the young Moorhens 
were hatched, and the faithful parents had led them in 
safety to a neighbouring pond. 
A pair of Moorhens, with their brood, form a most 
charming picture. The old birds vie with each other 
in the tenderness and care which they show towards their 
offspring. Swimming in the wake now of the father, 
now the mother, the chicks beg in low chirping tones for 
food, which the parents are continuously collecting and 
placing before them. The watchful glances of the happy 
old birds are ever turned towards their young, as the 
latter skim and dance on the water like children at play. 
Alow, “dook, dook,” will serve to collect them together if 
dispersed, whilst the loud call, “kerrteter,” gives warning 
of some treacherous cat sneaking along the bank, or 
bird of prey as it glides overhead; the ordinary 
“terterter” brings them out from their hiding-place. 
After a few days the young are able to provide for them¬ 
selves, though they are still most carefully tended by 
their parents, under whose wings they are brooded, and 
warmed at night, like young chickens. 
At last the overpowering love of their young, which 
has hitherto filled the breasts of the old birds, becomes 
changed; their conduct towards their now grown-up 
brood is quite altered, they drive their young away, 
so as to commence building their nest afresh. The 
female again lays six or seven eggs, either in the old or 
5 Q 
