148 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



She sits very closely, indeed so closely that I have known 

 her head cut clean off as she sat on her nest in a field of 

 grass which was being mown. 



THE WILD DUCK. 



THE nest of the Wild Duck is composed of grass, inter- 

 mixed and lined with down, and is generally situated on 

 the ground near the margin of rivers or lakes, to enable 

 the mother to lead her progeny to the water immediately 

 they are hatched. However, there are numerous exceptions 

 to the usual site of her nest, as it is occasionally found 

 occupying deserted Crows' nests, or built on pollard 

 willows, and has even been found in such an exceptionally 

 odd situation as a church tower, from whence she managed 

 to convey her young in safety. These elevated nesting- 

 places have given rise to much variance of opinion amongst 

 naturalists as to how the parent bird carries her progeny 

 to the water ; some contending that she conveys them 

 in her feet, others, in her beak, &c. 



This habit of the bird, however, is quite familiar to the 

 Laplanders, who prepare wooden cylinders, which they stop 

 at each end, leaving a hole in the side, and elevate on poles, 

 to entice the duck, which does not hesitate to avail itself 

 of such convenient accommodation; thus the wily Lap- 

 lander is enriched with a good store of eggs for breakfast. 

 The Hawk-Owl often takes a fancy to the situation, and 

 appropriates it for nidification purposes, paying dearly for 

 his intrusion when the owner of the cylinder comes round 

 to collect his dues. 



The eggs of the Wild Duck number from eight to 

 fifteen, of a greenish-white colour, smooth on the surface. 



