892 



THK PTF.D-nTI.T.F.n CRKBE. 



One tliiiii; is certain, the nest nf the Pied-liilkd (irehe may l)e fniiiid. 

 In a retired sjint in a depth "\ water xarying from six inches to as many 

 feet, a large inunnd of sodden \egetalile matter and mnd is erected and 

 with a hetiiis])lierical tinisli lironght to an ele\ation of from two to six 

 itiches al)o\e water. If iti sliallow water, tlie nionnd is com])arati\ely solid 

 and nind is largely used. If in deep water, niutl may he almost eliminated 

 and the mass thus rendered liglit etiough to float, gixing with the waves 

 as it swings upon concealed 

 mooritigs of a(ntatic jilants. 



Her. 



igiit depres- 



sion ot the top seven or 

 eight eggs are deposited at 

 the rate of one a day, and 

 incuhation requires three 

 weeks or a little over. The 

 ])arents brood the eggs at 

 night and in chilly 

 weather, but on bright 

 days the eggs are care- 

 fitlh- cox-ered with mud 

 and close-set mosses, 

 s])irogvra and the like. 

 ,-md the whole smoothed 

 o\er to the appearance 

 of an emerging mud- 

 l)ank. 



Because one does not . 

 see the mother is no sign 

 that she is not anxious; 

 and if vou tarry too 

 long, the swamp will be- 

 come vocal with strange 

 gurglings and weird cries 

 of incatitation. Most 

 m e m o r a 1) 1 e is an odd 

 bubbling giggle, kcggy 



kcggy kcggy keggy kcggy kcggy kcggy. etc., rendered with great rapidity. 

 During the excitement of courtship the luale jjlays the buffoon to 

 perfection: he rushes about in the open water half submerged or dives 

 and emerges re]5eatedl\', uttering froiu time to tiiue a single excited "aoiv." 

 Surelv the verv coots must chuckle to see the sill\- fellow, e\en tho tbev 



Plioto by Ihc Author. 



.\ CO\'ERED NEST. 



