127
*
Lake Umbagog.
Leonard's Pond.
1897
June 8
(No 2)
circling alighted on the water a few yards from
the nest. After floating motionless on the calm surface
for at least two minutes with head & neck erect and
evidently watching & listening intently she flew directly
to the lower hole (Watrous says she entered at the top
of the hollow last night) and alighting on its lower edge
stood there for an instant flapping her wings a little
to maintain her balance. Three she popped in throwing
up her spread tail just as her body disappeared much
as a Duck often does when diving. I saw nothing
more of her although I watched the hole closely for
another hour at the end of which time (at 6.15)
Gilbert who had been to the boat for his breakfast
came to relieve me and to keep guard while I
had mine. It was arranged between us that if the
Whistler began taking out her young while I was
absent he would shout a few times to let me know
of the fact.
[margin]*
Watching
nest of
Whistler[/margin]
  I had just finished breakfast when I heard this
signal and jumping into the St. Lawrence skiff rowed
as hard as I could pull for the nest but as soon
as I came in sight of it I knew I was too late
for Gilbert was standing up in his boat and
paddling slowly towards the tree. Here is his account
of what happened during my absence:
  At 6.45 the old Duck appeared at the entrance (the lower
hole) to the nest where she sat for five minutes moving
her head continually and looking about in every direction
included within her field of vision; then she sank back
out of sight reappearing at the end of a minute and 
looking about as before for another five minutes. At the