Vol. xxxvn 



1919 



Wright, Black Duck Nesting at Boston. 060 



happily in its waters, availing of the very first opportunity to be 

 in their old haunt again, it may be said indeed, delaying scarcely 

 an hour after the partial opening up. Their presence on several 

 days thereafter was recorded. On April 1 the duck was observed 

 on the island. On the 4th the water was drawn off, and the 

 next day the pair was seen flying in, but they left directly, as the 

 pond had been drained to its bottom. For seven days then the 

 ducks were not seen, and it seemed as if they might have been 

 deterred from their purpose of again breeding in the Garden. 

 But on the 13th they were back and paddling in the mere shallow 

 ditch which runs centrally through the pond and still retained a 

 little water. It was five days later when the water was restored 

 and the pair began their continuous occupancy of the pond. This 

 season it seemed as if there were a purposed delay on their part 

 in beginning the nesting until the water should have been returned, 

 as by their experience of previous seasons they might feel assur- 

 ance it would be. On the first day of then return, April 18, the 

 female was seen investigating the island. The following day she 

 went upon it several times successively during observation and 

 seemed to be making choice of a spot on the southerly side, for 

 she again and again tested its fitness by adjusting herself upon it. 

 Six days later she was seen on her nest, probably to deposit her 

 first egg, and upon each day following the same record ' duck on 

 her nest' was made up to May 29 inclusive, when at 7.20 a.m. 

 she moved down to the water with a brood of eight ducklings 

 following her. The drake was not present at the time. The 

 egg-laying would seem, therefore, to have occupied eight days, 

 April 25 to May 2, and the period of incubation to have extended 

 to May 28, when the young were hatching, and thus upon the 

 water the day following. Again mother duck had accomplished 

 a successful nesting, free from interference. It had been possible 

 just to discern her form as she sat on her nest, the protective color- 

 ation of her plumage blending completely with her surroundings. 

 And later, when the grasses and lily leaves grew up around her, 

 she was almost entirely concealed from view. So as she probably 

 maintained her fixed position when boats full of people rounded 

 the island, it is likely that their occupants were unaware of her 

 presence. But many bird-lovers followed the course of her family 



