Discoveries in France and Mongolia during the early 1920s provided first-hand evidence that dinosaurs laid eggs in nests dug in the dirt. In 1980, discoveries in Montana provided the first evidence that dinosaurs nested in colonies, much the same way some kinds of birds do. Nesting in colonies is one way birds protect their young from predators. Once, when I was studying the nesting grounds of white pelicans in Montana, I discovered how their defensive systems work.
Pelicans nest on islands in shallow lakes.
One day I began wondering why coyotes and other predators didn't just swim out to the island and kill the chicks. So I decided to wade out and discover the answer. What I learned was that coyotes are much smarter than I am when it comes to these kinds of decisions. When I was about halfway to the island and knee-deep in the lake and mud, the adult pelicans launched an attack. The giant birds flew at me with their huge mouths wide open and their feet clawing at me.