75
1897
May 24
(No 5)
Lake Umbagog.
  Nest, 10 eggs, S.E. point of Bear Island about 20 yds. from Lake
in three directions on level, perfectly dry ground 4 or 5 ft. above 
high - water mark, ground covered with a coating of dry leaves
perfectly free from undergrowth, weeds, grass or other low cover
but partially shaded by large trees chiefly yellow birches (as yet
leafless) and a few scattered spruces & balsams. Nest placed
near the foot of a balsam (4 in. diameter at base) made chiefly of
dry leaves mixed with down the rim raised & prominent. In situ
it measured 10 x 11 inches across the top by 3 1/2 inches deep.
So wholly unconcealed was this nest that the light buffy
eggs contrasting strongly with the wood browns of the general
surface could be quickly seen from 15 yds. away in every
direction and a Crow looking down from above must
have been indeed dull - sighted had he failed to discover
them. They were not covered in the least.
[margin]Anas obscura
nest & eggs
3022
10[/margin]
  When Watrous found this nest this forenoon and again when
I visited it with him in the afternoon the bird flushed
at about 15 yds. going straight up through the trees. On
the 25th Watrous tried to see her on the nest by rowing
quietly past the spot in his boat but she rose before
he got within thirty yards of her.
  Nest,10 eggs, northern extremity of small island on west shore
of Sunset Cove. Island heavily wooded with spruces, balsams
white pines and birches with the densest possible undergrowth
of young spruces. The nest was about 30 ft. from the water
in three directions and near the middle of a thicket of those
little spruces (3 to 5 ft. high) which were crowded so thickly
together over as well as close around the nest that I doubt
if any large bird, even a Partridge, could have risen up
through them. The Duck did not attempt it, either when
[margin]Anas obscura
Nest &eggs
3020
10[/margin]