322 BIRD-LIFE IX WESTERN CANADA 



therefore, are by no means such gay and irresponsible 

 grass widows as they have been said to be. While they take 

 no part in the duties of incubation they nevertheless are 

 clearly concerned with its results, appearing in defense of 

 their household when circumstances require their presence. 

 They are exquisite creatures and when swimming high in 



Blue-winged Teal's Nest 

 The eggs were covered by the bird when leaving the nest 



the water with dainty nodding motion of the head, present 

 as pleasing a picture of bird-life as beauty of plume and 

 grace of motion can combine to produce. 



The high grasses in which the Phalaropes nested, evi- 

 dently held also the home of that singularly distributed bird, 

 Nelson's Sparrow, whose little guttural trill was a common 

 note, but in spite of much anxious chirping on their part and 

 much searching on mine, the birds succeeded in keeping 

 their secret. 



