BIRDS. • 9 I 



while I remained bebiucl to see how the ducks would act when they 

 returned. As soon as the boat was gone they began to return to their 

 nests, both males and females. It was very amusing to see a male alight 

 beside a nest, and with a satisfied air settle himself down on the eggs, 

 when suddenly a female would come to the same nest and inform him 

 that he had made a mistake, — it was not his nest. He started up, looked 

 blaiddy around, discovered his mistake, and with an awkward and very 

 ludicrous bow, accompanied with some suitable explanation, I suppose, 

 he waddled otf in search of his own home, where he found his faithful 

 mate installed. Now followed an explanation that seemed to be hugely 

 enjoyed b}' all in the vicinity. A jjretty lively conversation was kept 

 xi-p, probably on the purport of our visit, as they seemed nmch excited. 

 I could spare no more time to watch them, and crept out fi-om my hiding- 

 place into full view of all, and a look of greater disgust and astonish- 

 ment than these birds gave me is difficult to imagine; they evidently 

 regarded such underhand work beneath the dignity of a human being, 

 and probably rated me worse than a gull or raven. So sudden and 

 unexpected was my ap])earance that many did not leave their nests, but 

 hissed and squaked at me like geese; these same birds left their nests 

 before when the boat was within a quarter of a mile of the island. 



The first eggs were procured June 21. The islands on which they 

 nest are but small .barren rocks, of an acre or less in extent, and often 

 but a few feet above high tide-mark. There are a few patches of Poa 

 arctica and CocJilearia officinalis scattered about, and these contain the 

 greater number of nests. Each nest has a little circle of green sod about 

 it, which is manured every year and becomes quite luxuriant. These 

 mounds are sometimes a foot high and as much in diameter, having been 

 used as a nest for many years in succession. Very little repairing is 

 necessary to fit the nest for the reception of the eggs, — merely a little 

 grass or moss. But little down is used till the full complement of eggs 

 is laid. The nests are often so close together that it is impossible to 

 walk without stepping on them. A nest seldom contains more than five 

 eggs, often three or four, and I never saw as many as six but twice. 



The principal breeding-places in Cumberland are between lat. 00° and 

 07° IsT. The lower of these places is about ten miles off shore from 

 Mailukeitu ; the greatest number of birds nest here. The seven islands 

 to the northward about twenty-five miles are favorite resorts ; also the 

 small islands to the SE. of Annanactook. There is also a group known 



