262 THE BEDEGUAR. 



" Oh, aunt," said Frederick, who had run on before them, 

 " look what I have found, a duck's nest in a tree!" 



The party hastened to the spot, and found the nest of a 

 duck, with some egg-shells still remaining in it, perched up 

 in an oak tree, about ten feet from the ground,* and the duck 

 and its little brood were to be seen swimming in the pool ad- 

 jacent. 



MRS. F. 



I have before heard of similar instances of ducks building 

 in trees, but this is the first which has ever come under my 

 own immediate notice. The wonderful part of the circum- 

 stance is, how the duck contrives to get her young ones down 

 from so great a height, unless she carries them upon her back, 

 as we see swans sailing about with their little progeny. It 

 is a point I long to ascertain; but I have never met with any 

 one who had witnessed the manoeuvre, and could tell me how 

 it is effected. 



Frederick, I will thank you to bring me one of the egg- 

 shells, as I should like to keep it as a memorial of the in- 

 cident. 



FREDERICK. 



I will, Esther, in a minute; or I can do it going back. 



MRS. F. 

 You had better get it now. 



FREDERICK. 



Oh no, aunt; I will remember it. 



MARY. 



I, too, have found something such a pretty robin's 

 cushion. 



MRS. F. 



The bedeguar, as it is sometimes called, the work of one 

 * Fact. 



