178 



WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



from her little ones, and would court death herself, 

 rather than aught should happen to those she loved so 

 dearly; they, frail, little things, would run chirping 

 away with frightened cry, calling to their mother for 

 protection, or, finding escape impossible, would hide 

 themselves bodies if they could, if not, their heads in 

 some bunch of grass ; and how they would stare at one 

 in blank astonishment, when picked up and stroked 

 tenderly with one's warm hands. After they have been 

 enjoying the emoluments and pleasures of this earth 

 for perhaps thirty days, the mother reads the riot act 

 to her lord, telling him how she had built them a home, 

 had faithfully attended her duties, had hatched the 

 brood, had fed and cared for them without complaint 

 and without the expectation of reward ; had brought 

 them up almost to a condition of independence, and 

 now she wanted him to do his share. He acknowledges 

 the truth of her assertions, and accepts the situation, 

 promising faithfully to protect them to the best of his 

 ability, and to initiate them into the mysteries of how 

 to keep out of the clutches of their natural enemies. 

 The female then retires to her nest and brings up an- 

 other brood the same season, and the male assumes en- 

 tire control of the flock turned over to him. When it 

 happens that an event occurs to drive the female from 

 her nest, she will return ; but should the eggs be 

 handled by man or boy, then she deserts her nest for- 

 ever. Should her nest be destroyed she leaves the 

 place, and for a long time, days and weeks, will wander 

 moodily around, or on some fence will dejectedly sit 

 as if in the deepest mourning and despair ; while her 

 mate shows, as plainly as he can, the sympathy he has 

 for her in her bereavement. 



