THE O. & O. SEMI-ANNUAL. I5 
housekeeping, scratch a slight depression in the ground and make a 
rude nest of dead grass, usually on the shady side of a bunch of 
weeds ; but often in full view. 
After depositing the eggs, the female pays very little or no atten- 
tion to them ; but again joins her more dressy companions and leaves 
her mate to bear the whole of the cares and responsibility to hatch 
out the chicks, which he is not loth to do, and even after they are 
hatched she. cares but very little for her offsprings. ‘Though she may 
materially assist in feeding them, I am afraid they would go to sleep 
hungry if it was not for their provident papa. 
The eggs, four in number, are usually deposited in a swampy 
marsh. When very wet they are raised a little above the level. Like 
most of the family pyriform, about 1.25x.95 ; ground color light drab, 
covered with heavy dark brown spots and splashes, more numerous 
and heaviest at the larger end. The eggs are placed in nest with 
small ends downward, close together and the top ends radiate out- 
ward. One set that I took a few days ago was packed all around with 
freshly-plucked green leaves. 
The curious trait they possess of spinning around while swimming, 
I am satisfied is to stir up the mud and also the animalcules upon 
which they feed, as they never do it in deep water. 
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