IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
) 
I quietly left the nest after making a mental note of its 
surroundings. Here was my opportunity for a close study of 
the home life of a pair of Mallard ducks. 
I walked down to the stream hoping to see the ducks^but 
in this I was disappointed. A lone heron was flopping down 
stream as I approached, but the ducks were not to be seen this 
morning. 
\ 
I returned to the nest, as this was my chance t/O examine 
it carefully. A Mallard duck seldom leaves her nest, once the_ 
eggs are laid, and as she was gone for a few minutes myr oppor¬ 
tunity presented itself. The nest was composed of fine drie 
reeds, grasses and leaves, snugly set in a tussock of high gfi 
that formed an arch over it, protecting the eggs from the sun 
and duck enemies. I dared not touch the eggs for fear of driving 
away the parent birds, so I was content with noting their size 
color and number, whereupon I left the field, elated with 
my find. 
• . , 
About three days later I found an opportunity to visit the 1. 
Mallard home. As there was no screen of leaves or high bushes 
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near the nest, I spent over half an hour reaching it. Crawling 
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on mv hands and knees, a foot at a time, I finally reached the 
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t>o. 
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vicinity of the nest. The Mallard, though very inquisitive, is 
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