THE PRAIRIES 



S23 



Blue-winged Teal also nested here, and one of the dis- 

 tinctive exporionces of bird study in this region, is the flush- 

 ing of wild Ducks which, witli a truly surprising flutter, 

 tumble from their nest at your feet, invariably speeding 

 your circulation with a l)ound. Under these conditions, 

 tliere is no time foi- that careful and complete covering of 



Blue-winged Teal's Nest 

 The downy covering' raised to show the eggs 



the eggs with a downy blanket, which precedes the more de- 

 liliei'ate departure from the nest, for feeding. 



Admirably as the incubating Duck, feigning to be wound- 

 ed, attempts to draw you from her nest, the performance 

 is not even a poor imitation of her actions when she wishes 

 to cover the retreat of her brood. A Mallard one day gave 

 an excellent exhibition of this habit. At her first call of 

 alarm the young birds scattered widely, no two, apparently, 



