is heralded by a few females, which arrive first, and are found singly about the 

 marshes. At this time the females have a peculiar harsh note, which I have heard 

 but a few times, and only from solitary individuals, before the arrival of the 

 main body. 



few days later small flocks, embracing both sexes, may be found along 

 the borders of grassy pools, or lying at midday on the sunny side of some warm 

 knoll in the marsh. As the breeding season approaches they become more restless, 

 flying from place to place, and finally separate into small parties of two or three 

 pairs. About the middle of ]\Iay their love-making commences, and is at first 

 indicated by the increasing solicitude they show for each other's welfare. The 

 appearance of a person in their vicinity at this time is the signal for all'the birds 

 near to come circling about, though not within easy gun-shot. By a careful 

 approach one may now and then find a small party swimming about in some 

 secluded pool. 



"The charming grace of movement exhibited at such times, combined with 

 their tasteful elegance of attire, form one of the most pleasing sights one could 

 witness as they swim buoyantly from side to side of the pool, gracefully nodding 

 their heads, now pausing for an instant to arrange a feather or to daintily gather 

 some fragment of food, and now floating idly about, wafted by the slight breeze, 

 which at mtervals ripples the surface of the water. A more common, but scarcely 

 less pleasing sight, is presented when, unconscious of observation, they walk 

 sedately along the border of the water, never departing from the usual grace of 

 movement. Their food is generally found in such places where the receding 

 water furnishes a bountiful supply. The only demonstrations I have observed 

 during the pairing time consist of a kind of solemn bowing of the head and body ; 

 but sometimes, wdth the head lowered and thrust forward, they will run back 

 and forth in front of the object of their regard, or again, a pair may be seen 

 to salute each other by alternately bownng or lowering their heads ; but their 

 courtship is characterized by a lack of the rivalry and vehemence exhibited by 

 birds. 



"The nesting is usually in some thin tuft of grass on a level spot, but 

 often in an open place concealed by a few straggling blades of small carices. 

 The male scratches a shallow depression in the soft earth, which is usually 

 lined with a thin layer of fragments of old grass blades, upon which the eggs, 

 numbering from three to four, are deposited about the last of May or first 

 of Tune." 



597 



