A>^ATID^. 203 



always interesting, and at times a veiy peaceful bird. When once paired 

 they are exceedingly true and attentive to each other. But no intrusioa 

 is allowed from their neighbours ; in face, each pair is jealous of every 

 other pair, and village gossip is unknown amongst them. If any meddling 

 is attempted, there is a desperate fight. I have seen a dozen or fifteen 

 couples standing on the limbs of one great spreading oak, cavilling and 

 chattering with all their might. They bring out very early broods. I 

 have often seen the young abroad early in January, and throughout 

 January and Pebruary there are always some broods hatched. Few, 

 however, of these early broods are raised to maturity, the reason of which 

 I will presently inform you. While incubation is going on by the Goose 

 a wonderfully strict guard is kept by the Gander. He, at a distance, 

 closely watches night and day. If an enemy, or even a neighbour, 

 thoughtlessly attempts a near approach to the locality, no time is lost in 

 giving battle. When the Goose requires to leave her nest to feed, notice 

 is given by an inward, quiet kind of cackling, or chattering, and the 

 Gander goes to relieve guard. On the islands here boxes and hutches, 

 with plenty of hay, straw, and diy leaves, are provided for the water-fowl 

 to choose their nesting-materials from, and, if they desire, places in 

 which to make their nests. The Egyptian Goose, like the Wild Duck 

 with us, does not always nest in these provided places, or on the ground, 

 or under a thick bush, or other nice sheltered or well-protected spots. 

 Oh, no ! Here they often nest on the top of ivied walls, or on the forks 

 of ver)' large trees, where four great limbs diverge more particularly, or 

 those which are clothed with ivy. In such places they make a nest and 

 hatch. Yes, and thence convey their young down to the nearest water 

 in perfect safety. One pair of Egyptians nested for many years in suc- 

 cession on the fork of a large tree in the Amci'ican garden here, about 

 fifty feet from the ground, and always conveyed their brood of eight or 

 ten down to the water hard by with complete safety. Their broods here 

 generally average in number, when first brought out, from seven to ten. 

 I have occasional!}' seen thirteen, and even fourteen, Goslings in a brood. 

 They are exceedingly hardy, notwithstanding which the early broods get 

 very much reduced in numbers ; indeed, very often the whole brood is 

 lost. This, however, docs not result so much from the inclemency of the 

 weather, as you may at first imagine. Oh dear no ! and tlieroby hangs a 

 tale. The shrewdness, pugnacity, pluck, and natural craftiness of the 

 Egyptian Gooso are not sufficient to ensure its safet)'. There is another 

 quiet, sly, and much smaller bird, an unmistakable match for Goosey, 

 especially at the time when peace reigns, and Goose and (irander are alike 

 absorbed in attending, with the utmost kindness, on tlieir young. Tliia 

 other bird is a downright trickster, and a most comical devil too, wicked 

 and funny at once. Oh, such sly, crafty tricks have I seen wlien close 

 to them, and as it were in the very midst of the performance. I will 

 relate a few real facts. This bird is no otlier than the Carrion-(Jro\v. 

 Amongst a number of dainties, this fellow is partial to young Ducks and 

 Goslings, and tlio early ])r()ods get sadly diminislied, and often alto^cetlior 

 carried off by him. 1 have seen them perform their thievish tricks ia 



