238 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



if I had frightened them away. Early the next morning 

 I was at my post, and waited long hours without result, 

 but at last not in vain. In the distance, clearly limned 

 against the cloudless sky, I plainly descried a small duck. 

 Nearer and nearer the object came, and I felt sure that its 

 flight was directed to this very nest. Not so, for to 

 another and larger tree, a hundred yards distant, it finally 

 turned and alighted on an outer branch. It remained 

 there but a moment, and then sailed rather than flew to 

 the nesting-tree ; and, sitting alongside of the hollow limb 

 in which were the young, it seemed rather to be contem- 

 plating some of its own affairs than concerned about the 

 young ducklings, that, as freely as might a squirrel or 

 mouse, clambered about the limb and over the mother 

 duck. Doubtless they were anxious to get to a more 

 congenial home, and this wish was intensified by the be- 

 ginning of hunger, for it is doubtful if they are fed at 

 all until they are safely afloat in some quiet pond. 



I had not long to wait before the modus operandi of 

 the exodus in this case was learned. The old duck, by 

 sounds or actions, gave the little ducklings to understand 

 that they were to follow their mother, and presently she 

 slowly clambered down the trunk of the tree, which 

 grew at an angle of forty-five degrees from the level sur- 

 face of the ground, and was followed by the ducklings. 

 A curious procession they made, truly, and one that in 

 times of plentiful minks and weasels would doubtless have 

 proved dangerous. No sooner had the last young duck 

 reached the ground than I essayed to follow, but so rapid 

 were their movements, and so zigzag their route, that it 

 was no easy work, as the long grass often effectually con- 

 cealed them. But I caught occasional glimpses, and 

 found that with but little deviation from the most direct 

 route they had wormed their way to the nearest water. 



