74
Lake Umbagog.
1897.
May 24
(No 4)
  Here is a condensed summary of the chief points of
interest respecting the three nests of the Black Duck that
we have found thus far.
May 22-25
  Nest 13 eggs, on top of knoll at E. end of small densely-wooded (chiefly
with spruces, balsams & hemlocks) island at E. end of Great Island
north channel. At base of hemlock trunk near edge of bed of
rather stunted & sparse yew by which both est & eggs were well
concealed. Nest of leaves & down 11 in across top by 3 1/2 in deep. When found May 22 the sitting bird rose at about
12 or 15 ft. After we had made her repeated visits she became
much slyer often rising as we were landing (at 20 yds, &
out of her sight). She always rose straight up through
the trees to a height of 30 or 40 feet avoiding the branches
as easily as a Partridge & quacking loudly. Usually she flew directly from the
nest but once she ran a few yards first. We never found
any of the eggs covered (perhaps this bird does not cover them
when suddenly flushed). On the evening of the 21st &
on the morning of the 22nd we saw the duck & her mate
swimming about together feeding within 40 to 100 yds of the
nest. On both occasions we saw the [female] return to it by
rising and flying directly towards it, plunging into the
woods only a few yards above the ground. I doubt if the
[female] ever went out of sight of the island.
[margin]Anas obscura
Nest & eggs
"3021"
13[/margin]