140 BIRDS OF THE WATER 



gape and quiver in expectancy, ^Dersevering 

 in vain long after his nestfellow has 

 swallowed the mouthful and settled down. 



At the least shake of the bough support- 

 ing the nest, up go all the long necks, and 

 all the mouths are opened wide, but it is 

 strange to mark the little family's dis- 

 crimination between a shiver of wind and 

 the light tread of parent bird. 



Nearly always after feeding is over, and 

 before the old bird departs, a dropping is 

 deposited by one of the young on the very 

 edge of the nest. The old bird, who has 

 awaited the event, carries it off in its 

 bill. If by accident, however, the sac 

 containing the deposit has been broken or 

 torn, the contents are still gathered into the 

 bill, and very careful search made in all 

 parts of the nest for the least bit of 

 matter that would cause harm. By the 

 Waxeye these droppings are got rid of at 

 a few yards from the nest, and quite at 

 random. 



The young, whilst bemg fed, stretch forth 

 their long necks with a sort of rotatory 

 motion, working their naked wdngs, too, 



