138 BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



washed away in more secure spots than 

 this was built in. I remember one pair 

 of birds which had particularly bad for- 

 tune, for twice in one season, after the full 

 clutch of eggs had been laid, their nests 

 were washed away by gales. The birds 

 certainly showed that they could learn 

 by experience, for on the third attempt 

 at nest-building they first made a high 

 pile of weeds, quite nine inches above the 

 water, and the nest proper, constructed 

 of wet water weeds, was built on top 

 of this. 



For three weeks the birds took 

 their turns at sitting, then two small 

 striped birds arrived upon the scene. 

 In less than two hours after they had 

 left their shells they took to the water, 

 and so much at home were they in this 

 element that they were able to take little 

 dives, or perhaps it would be more correct 

 to say they were able to bob under the 

 water for a couple of inches. They were 



