AMONG THE WATER-FOWL 



an enormous Loon, half flying, half dragging her- 

 self over the water. Getting out into the lake, 

 she alighted with a great splash, and instantly 

 dove. Eagerly I hastened forward, and waded out. 

 Through the reeds I could sec a muskrat house, 

 and I knew what was in store. Not on top, but 

 on the outer side, well down near the water, the 



ANOTHER VIEW OF THE PRECEDING 



bird had flattened out a sort of platform. It was 

 the home of the Loon at last ! In a slight hol- 

 low lay, not the usual two, but one enormous 

 dark brown, spotted egg. That it was the full 

 laying of the bird was evident, for it was almost 

 ready to hatch. A day or two more, and I should 

 have been too late. This it was, in particular, 



48 



