Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/297

 Jesse, observes,— "The Moor-hen displays some-times a singular degree of foresight in her care for her young. It is well known that she builds her nest amongst sedges and bulrushes, and generally pretty close to the water, as it is there less likely to be observed. In places, however, where anything like a flood is likely to take place, a second nest, more out of the reach of the water, is constructed, which is intended to be in readiness in case a removal of the eggs or young ones should be found necessary. This observation was made by a family residing at an old priory in Surrey, where Moor-hens abound, and where the fact was too often witnessed by themselves and others, to leave any doubt upon their minds."

"During the early part of the summer of 1835," observes Mr. Selby, "a pair of Water-hens built their nest by the margin of the ornamental pond at Bell's Hill, a piece of water of considerable extent, and ordinarily fed by a spring from the height above, but into which the contents of another large pond can occasionally be admitted. This was done while the female was sitting; and as the nest had been built when the water-level stood low, the sudden influx of this large body of water from the second pond caused a rise of several inches, so as to threaten the speedy immersion and consequent destruction of the eggs. This the birds seem to have been aware of, and immediately took precautions against so imminent a danger; for when the gardener, upon whose veracity I can safely rely, seeing the sudden rise of the water, went to look after the