178 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
from her little ones, and would court aeath herself. 
rather than aught should happen to those she loved so 
dearly: they, frail, little things, would run chirping 
away with frightened cry, calling to their mother for 
protection, or, finding escape impossible, would hide 
themselves 
bodies if they could, if not, their heads—in 
some bunch of grass ; and how they would stare at one 
in blank astonishment, when picked up and stroked 
tenderly with one’s warm hands. After they have been 
enjoying the emoluments and pleasures of this earth 
for perhaps thirty days, the mother reads the riot act 
to her lord, telling him how she had built them a home, 
had faithfully attended her duties, had hatched the 
brood, had fed and cared for them without complaint 
and without the expectation of reward: had brought. 
them up almost to a condition of independence, and 
now she wanted him to do his share. He acknowledges 
the truth of her assertions, and accepts the situation, 
promising faithfully to protect them to the best of his 
ability, and to initiate them into the mysteries of how 
to keep out of the clutches of their natural enemies. 
The female then retires to her nest and brings up an- 
other brood the same season, and the male assumes en- 
tire control of the flock turned over to him. When it 
happens that an event occurs to drive the female from 
her nest, she will return; but should the eggs be 
handled by man or boy, then she deserts her nest for- 
ever. Should her nest be destroyed she leaves the 
place, and for along time, days and weeks, will wander 
moodily around, or on some fence will dejectedly sit 
as if in the deepest mourning and despair; while her 
mate shows, as plainly as he can, the sympathy he has 
for her in her bereavement. 
