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THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
ing any supernatural power ; though, among the 
ignorant vulgar, it is believed that the flesh of this 
bird will not corrupt, and that no vermin ever attacks 
it. This is entirely false; the only advantage it can 
boast over others of the feathered race is, that the 
brilliancy of its plumage continues unfaded longer 
than that of any other bird. Its flesh is not palatable, 
nor does the nest float on the water, but is formed in 
a hole, by the water's edge, made soft and warm by 
fibrous roots and feathers. 
The hen lays from eight to ten eggs, beautifully 
white, and has hatched her first brood about the 
beginning of April. The fidelity and affection of the 
male exceeds that of all other birds, devoting his 
whole attention to providing for her wants, supplying 
her with abundance of fresh fish. By this means, 
she is much fatter and plumper when she has reared 
her offspring than she was before. The male bird, 
as if aware of his clumsiness of shape, and sudden 
motions, takes the greatest pains to steal softly and 
quietly into the nest, fearful to disturb his beloved 
partner ; even his twitter is discontinued during the 
time of her incubation. 
When residing in Essex, I have sometimes seen 
