. The birds of Washington : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 372 species of birds found in the state . wrath against a creature whichis so inconsiderate as to av(.iid the flash of a gun at twenty yards. More recently we ha\e been trying to studv the Grebes nesting habitsand have made overtures, sijmetimes friendl\, sometimes frantic; but still thewily water-witch cultivates retiracy and will not be limed or limned, save as apaludicoline pest whose specialty is alibis. 892 THK CRKBE. One tliiiii; is certain, the nest nf the Pied-liilkd (irehe may l)e
. The birds of Washington : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 372 species of birds found in the state . wrath against a creature whichis so inconsiderate as to av(.iid the flash of a gun at twenty yards. More recently we ha\e been trying to studv the Grebes nesting habitsand have made overtures, sijmetimes friendl\, sometimes frantic; but still thewily water-witch cultivates retiracy and will not be limed or limned, save as apaludicoline pest whose specialty is alibis. 892 THK CRKBE. One tliiiii; is certain, the nest nf the Pied-liilkd (irehe may l)e a retired sjint in a depth \ water xarying from six inches to as manyfeet, a large inunnd of sodden \egetalile matter and mnd is erected andwith a hetiiis])lierical tinisli lironght to an ele\ation of from two to sixitiches al)o\e water. If iti sliallow water, tlie nionnd is com])arati\ely solidand nind is largely used. If in deep water, niutl may he almost eliminatedand the mass thus rendered liglit etiough to float, gixing with the wavesas it swings upon concealedmooritigs of a(ntatic jilants. Her. igiit depres-. sion ot the top seven oreight eggs are deposited atthe rate of one a day, andincuhation requires threeweeks or a little over. The])arents brood the eggs atnight and in chillyweather, but on brightdays the eggs are care-fitlh- cox-ered with mudand close-set mosses,s])irogvra and the like.,-md the whole smoothedo\er to the appearanceof an emerging mud-l)ank. Because one does not .see the mother is no signthat she is not anxious;and if vou tarry toolong, the swamp will be-come vocal with strangegurglings and weird criesof incatitation. Mostm e m o r a 1) 1 e is an oddbubbling giggle, kcggy kcggy kcggy keggy kcggy kcggy kcggy. etc., rendered with great the excitement of courtship the luale jjlays the buffoon toperfection: he rushes about in the open water half submerged or divesand emerges re]5eatedl\, uttering froiu time to tiiue a single excited
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Keywords: ., bookauthordawsonwilliamleon1873, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900
