Wood- Duck and Wood- Duck Shooting 211 



the trunk, released it, and carried it to the foot of 

 the tree, fluttering directly down instead of walking 

 past the others. No sooner had she deposited it 

 than the lot on the trunk made a move to follow. 

 From their position lay the steepest part of the trip, 

 and it was made in one quick slide. 



The mother now showed signs of extreme anxiety. 

 For some distance about the tree the sandy soil was 

 practically bare, and clearly she did not relish the idea 

 of having her youngsters too long in such a place ; 

 yet there were three in the nest. One of these settled 

 the question by coming out and making the descent 

 in one grand leap. It never hesitated, but simply 

 sprang into the air, and with rudimentary wings and 

 small paddles stiffly spread, it shot down to the sand 

 and immediately ran to the others. The mother 

 then leaped upon the trunk, ran up to the hole and 

 went in. 



For perhaps five minutes she remained inside, and 

 when she reappeared she held a young one, seem- 

 ingly by the skin of its back. With this one she 

 fluttered straight down, and at once released it. 

 This left one in the nest. 



Most interesting performances present something 

 strong as the closing act, and the last baby duck 

 surely was the star of the troupe. While his mother 

 was attending to his small relative, this chap (I'll 

 bet it was a drake ! ) came out of the hole. For 

 perhaps ten seconds he stood at the entrance as if 

 waiting for all hands to give their earnest attention ; 

 then he started ! No clawing at the bark, no fearsome 

 flinching, nor any trace of hesitancy he was not 

 that sort. Whether or no he lost his balance, I am 



