146 
NESTS AND EGGS OF 
victim and rises to the surface again. With a gentle shiver of the body, 
the thousand drops of water that adhere to its sleek plumage, like span- 
gled dew-drops upon glittering grass-spears, fly in every direction, leaving 
the feathers as dry as if the bird had never taken this sub-aqueous jour- 
ney. Divested of its borrowed jewels, it now prepares to enjoy its well-won 
and precious morsel. For this purpose, with a peculiar jerking movement, 
the prey is swallowed, head foremost, and while the process of digestion 
is going forward, the perpetrator of this late sanguinary deed settles down 
into quiet life, or pursues, with majestic and dignifled mien, its customary 
movement athwart the glassy bosom of the deep. 
Although affecting great fondness for the sea, yet, when awakened to 
a true sense of its being by the unseen forces of Nature, and the amatory 
feelings have become aroused, it bids a temporary adieu thereto, and seeks 
some small, sequestered island in the midst of a lake or pond of fresh 
water, in close proximity to the ocean, where it places its nest. The sexes 
enter into this business with due consideration and dispatch, and apparently 
waste but few precious moments in the indulgence of idle fancies, or in 
the gratiflcation of cherished whims. There is little of the heartlessness 
o 
and fickleness shown by the wooed when her wooer makes his suit, as 
characterize many of our land denizens. The male, tired of the utter 
aimlessness of the social life which he has been leading, retires from the 
scenes once so dear, seeks his mate, doubtless the partner of former joys 
and sorrows, and leads her to the hymeneal altar a willing bride. A few 
mutual recognitions of love, and the happy pair are sealed for another 
season. 
Their chief concern now seems to be the establishment of a home. 
This is a work of short duration. A few blades of rank grass, hastily 
gathered in the neighborhood, are brought together, and, by the joint 
labors of both birds, are circularly arranged, and made to subserve the 
necessary purposes. The nest is very shallow, quite bulky, and well hidden 
by the surrounding verdure. There is always noticeable a lack of down or 
of feathers, which so many sea-birds are accustomed to utilize for warmth 
