THE DUCK 99 



him in the face with their wings. All these differ- 

 ent species, peacefully assembled on an isolated 

 rock in the midst of the glacial ocean waves, seem 

 to reproach man for coming to the very end of the 

 world to trouble the joys of the brooding mother. 

 The females, still motionless on their eggs in the 

 midst of this disorder, content themselves with join- 

 ing their protests to those of the indignant males. " 



"I have never heard anything like that before, 

 Uncle, ' ' said Jules. l ' Under the roof -tiles we some- 

 times find a dozen nests of sparrows living as neigh- 

 bors ; but how far these little gatherings are from the 

 Spitzbergen throngs ! Those rocks on the borders of 

 the sea are populous towns, with nests for houses 

 and birds for inhabitants. * ' 



"Are there ducks on those rocks, too?" asked 

 Louis. 



"No, my friend, " replied Uncle Paul; "there are 

 only sea-birds. Wild ducks and geese flock by 

 themselves and make their nests inland, far from 

 the waters of the sea, which do not suit them. They 

 prefer the borders of a lake or swamp. Their nests 

 are built on the ground among tufts of grass. 

 Sometimes they are so numerous oe could not take 

 a step without treading on eggs. ' ' 



"Oh, what a fine harvest of eggs I should have if 

 I were there!" 



"You forget, my child, that Uncle Paul expressly 

 forbids you to touch birds' nests. However, as once 

 is not a habit, and as, moreover, the temptation 

 would be irresistible, I would shut my eyes and would 



