IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
On my next trip to the nest, early in the morning four days 
later, as I was approaching the nest I inadvertently stepped 
upon a twig, causing it to snap sharply. With a whirr of wings 
I noticed a woodcock fly from somewhere near the nest, but on 
reaching it I found the mother bird calmly at her duty. It was 
the male bird I had flushed by my clumsiness. 
Seeing that she was not so easily frightened, I casually/ 
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drew near the nest. I was within ten feet of her and she did not 
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stir. Cautiously advancing to within six feet of her I could 
clearly see her brown little body and bright brown eyes, as she 
boldly stood her ground. On advancing about two feet nearer, 
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it was too much for even her steady nerves, and with a loud 
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whirr of wings she almost hit me in the face as she sped away 
through the woods. The eggs surely must have been.quickened, 
or she would not have held her ground as long as she did. I 
immediately left the woods, as her eggs might become chilled 
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if I kept her off of them too long. 
Two days later I was at the nest bright and early just as 
the rising sun lit up the surrounding woods. When I drew near 
the nest I failed to see the now familiar form of the mother bird 
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upon it. Hastening forward I found it deserted, with four 
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nearly split eggs lying about, telling the story of the advent of 
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