30 EARLY. SPRING: 
of how birds often use the material for their 
nests which is the nearest and easiest found. 
(Compare the robin’s nest, p. 2, and the 
mallard’s nest described on p. 51 of Part I.) 
Had we not seen the bird leave the nest we 
should doubtless have passed it, for we found 
the eggs almost covered over with leaves. 
As we looked down on the nest two or three 
of the uncovered eggs loomed out in the 
diffused light and caught the eye. Ducks 
and some other birds are credited with con- 
-cealing their eggs in this manner, but it is 
quite possible that in the hurry and excite- 
ment of getting off them suddenly, the 
light leaves are blown on to the eggs by the 
fluttering of the birds’ wings and the scram- 
bling of its legs. It may, however, be 
presumptuous of me to even hint at doubting 
what may be a clever instinct given them 
by the great Creator. The old bird flew 
many yards away, pitched upon the water, 
and swam about watching us. I had again 
the greatest difficulty in getting the camera 
erected upon the steep slope on which the 
