Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/41

Rh the other was too small to hold the growing family. The same year I found another nest under a tree-root three hundred yards from the one just mentioned. When the young were hatched, another was made in a more exposed situation. On April 27th, 1900, I discovered a Moor-hen's nest by the side of a stream. On May 7th some of the young were hatched, and a roosting-nest was commenced—probably by the male bird—in the centre of the stream, this one also being supported by a fallen tree. For several evenings afterwards one of the adult birds was sitting in this latter with the young, and once or twice I was able to approach by day to see one or two young birds using it. As the latter grew, another nest was built under the roots of a neighbouring tree, this being a large, loose, clumsy structure, such as might have been built by the young themselves.

Near the stream-bank were a number of trees, and at the top of one of these I waited for several hours to observe more closely the habits of the Moor-hens. I had not waited long before the hen swam up stream, meanwhile calling her brood together; she entered the nest built in the stream, and turned round several times to smooth down the loose grass just recently placed there, I could hear the young birds, but could not see them on account of the foliage in the tree. At this moment the keen eye of the old bird caught sight of me; she hastily left the nest, and did not return.

This nest was of immense size, and was constantly being added to; I found freshly added green grass as late as the beginning of August. Another nest that I had under observation during this year (1900) was a repetition of those previously described; roosting-nests were added for the young in a similar way.

Although I have consulted several works for the purpose of learning something about such extra nests, they do not appear to be mentioned in any of the chief reference books. Mr. G.B. Corbin, writing in 'The Zoologist' for Feb. 1899, p. 82, says:—"With regard to the nidification of the Moor-hen, I have often found that a much larger number of nests seem to be constructed than are ever used; but for what purpose is this apparent waste of time and labour?" This is the only reference I have found relating to what I call Moor-hens' roosting-nests.

It seems to me that all Moor-hens build these extra nests for