A WILD' DUCfrS RETREAT 177 



swimming along our Brook. She had happily 

 been successful in hatching her eggs ; but when 

 the young were nearly half grown three of them 

 and their mother disappeared. I was told by a 

 labourer that they had been snared ; which was 

 very probably the case. 



Some little distance up-stream a good-sized lake 

 empties its waters into our Brook, and it is here 

 that the Wild Duck breeds regularly. One after- 

 noon last May I managed to obtain a good series 

 of photographs of these, some of which are here 

 reproduced. 



On this lake there is an island, thickly wooded, 

 and among last season's dead leaves a Wild Duck's 

 nest was built, composed entirely of down from 

 her own body ! The accompanying picture of her 

 while sitting, is a good illustration of protective 

 colouration. While walking about I accidentally 

 almost trod upon this Duck, so closely did she 

 resemble her surroundings. Retiring a short 

 distance I set up my camera and returned very 

 cautiously, expecting every moment to see her 

 leave the nest, as she was becoming restless ; but 

 I was fortunate enough just to expose the plate in 

 time, as she rose immediately that this feat was 

 accomplished, flying slowly and seeming to half 

 drag herself along the ground. The photograph 



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