AMONG THE WaTER-FOwL 
an enormous Loon, half flying, half dragging her- 
self over the water. Getting out into the lake, 
she alighted with a great splash, and instantly 
dove. Eagerly I hastened forward, and waded out. 
Through the reeds I could see a muskrat house, 
and I knew what was in store. Not on top, but 
on the outer side, well down near the water, the 
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE PRECEDING 
bird had flattened out a sort of platform. It was 
the home of the Loon—at last! In a slight hol- 
low lay, not the usual two, but one enormous 
dark brown, spotted egg. That it was the full 
laying of the bird was evident, for it was almost 
ready to hatch. A day or two more, and J should 
have been too late. This it was, in particular, 
48 
