EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 47 
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. 
Tue 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. 
tander 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 éight to 
fifteen, of a greenish-white colour, smooth on the surface, 
