Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/42

20 the purpose of providing resting-places for their young; I also think that the young, when sufficiently grown, make additional ones for themselves. I should like to hear from any correspondents who have observed this hitherto overlooked habit of one of our most interesting water-birds.

There is one other habit I may mention. In all of the Moorhens' nests I have found, it seems to be a general rule for the hen to commence sitting as soon as the first egg is laid, so that some of the young are hatched before others. Probably the male bird commences an extra nest for these first-comers to use; for one additional nest under my notice was commenced before the hen had finished sitting.