Anas obsoura. 
Nest taken by William Brewster, April I9th, 1897, in the 
middle of a Cat Tail swamp off Concord Ave. between the Slaughter 
House and the Fitchburg R. R. tracks. 
Nest 10 in. across on the outside; 6 1/3 in. across on the 
inside; 5 1/2 in. deep. There were thirteen eggs in the nest. 
The nest was on the top of a tussock surrounded by water a 
foot deep. The tussock was slightly oblong in shape and was 2 ft. 
across The nest was overshadowed by Spiraea salicifolia and Rosa 
and it had a runway on one side quite clear of grass and 
bushes. 
The swamp is a typical Cat Tail swamp, full of tussocks of a 
Carex, presumably C. stricta. Scattered over the swamp is a good 
deal of Alder, wild Rose and Meadow Sweet. At this season the 
water is a good foot deep over the entire swamp, and in wading 
through it one sinks in a good deal more. 
I was one of the party on this trip. 
Walter Deane. 
