72 BIRDS OF THE WATER 



As suddenly, however, he was driven off, 

 for while the hen defended herself, the 

 plucky cock rushed to the rescue, and I 

 could see a confusion of blue and brown. 

 Then, again, the Harrier passed along, 

 pretending he didn't care, and doubtless 

 calling out as he flapped off, "I didn't 

 w^ant your old nest," trying to save his 

 face, for ever so many little eyes were 

 watching the scene, and birds hate disgrace 

 and failure just as much as does mankind. 

 Visiting the spot afterwards I found none 

 of the eggs broken, though the many feathers 

 scattered aromid attested the hard fought 

 field. 



Reverting, however, to the different types 

 of nesting site, the second, built on or near 

 the ground, and to some extent sheltered 

 by greenery, is the most common on Tutira. 



Quite a small minority of the birds 

 patronise the dense raupo fringing the 

 lake. 



The most interesting details of Pukeko 

 family life are, of course, gathered from 

 nests under observation for photography, 

 and during the past two seasons I have 



