NOTE3 ON THE WOOD-DUCK. 241 



their nest, not even creeping beyond its boundaries ; but 

 on the third I was rewarded for iny persistence, for on 

 taking my position in the neighboring tree, I saw that 

 some of the young had disappeared, and I felt sure the 

 others would soon follow, unless, indeed, their fellows had 

 fallen from the nest. This proved not to have been the 

 case, for, in the course of half an hour, the old duck made 

 her appearance, and now I fairly held my breath as I 

 watched her with my glass. After a moment's rest she 

 squatted closely down on the nest, and a duckling quickly 

 climbed upon her back and nestled closely between her 

 shoulders. 'The old bird then walked slowly to the very 

 edge of an overhanging limb, and with outspread wings, 

 with a slow, flapping motion of them, let herself down, 

 rather than flew, to the water. The moment she touched 

 the surface of the" stream she dived, and left the duckling 

 swimming on the water, and to all appearances perfectly 

 at home. This was repeated four times, when the tender 

 brood were all safely afloat, and as quick to scent danger 

 and flee from it as was their wary mother. 



