Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-14
WILD DUcK AS a MoTHsR.
Queer Places Selected for Nests, Which are
Watched Jealously.

queer Places eolocted Tor NESTS, Wntch are
Watched jealousy.
Country Life
The wild duck is apt to be rather
quaint as mother. She often seems
to have the most singular idea about
sites appropriate for the nursery.
1t is practically an essential for the
well. being Of her babies that the nur-
sery should be close by the waters
edge, for the little ones like to take to
the water as soon as Matched. They
have small use for the land except to
rest on, and they are rather restless.
The water is their element, and yet
the old mother duck will sometimes
choose for her nesting place spot 9
mote by more than hundred yards
from any water; sometimes she will
even choose the humble, but yet con
siderable height of pollard willow ;
and how she conveys her young brood
from these situations to the water is
one of those problems of natural history
which, like the ouckoo's way of con
veying her eggs into wren's nest, will
probably go on veSing till the end Of
time.
There are theories in plenty, but no
certainty. And often she will make
her nest or lay her eggs flor her nutions
of nest architecture are primitivel in
spot that seems specially selected for
its absence of covert And yet no one
can say that she is not an affectionate,
even an over-anxious mother. When
you come near her nest and startle her
off it, she does not go away, as wise
woman would, stealthily, secretly, so
as not to reveal to you its existence,
but with futter and commotion,
and often with an affeotation of broken
wing las il to lead you off in pursuit
of her, rather than leave you looking
for her eggsl, that tells you as plainly
as if she had quacked it out, II have
nest there; please do not go looking
for it, but come and catch me.
have broken wing" She has charm
ing idea of human simplicity.
She has only too many reasons for
her over. anxiety. 1t is quite pitiful.
She is pitiful object herself, as she
goes about in her lame and inconpe-
tent fashion. But the real dangers that
menace her young family are many and
terrible,
On shore, as soon as Matched, or even
while still in the shell, they are the
most attractive prey CT rats. both gray
rats and water yoles, and no sooner do
tut1 tdho ~ tlo WhttT bnau hunREJ
pike is looking out to gobble them up
or heron, ostensibly bent on fishing,
is not at all above skewering one of
them on his bayonet beak, if it should
come his way. So, all these adequate
causes for most poignant anxiety more
than excuse Mother Duck for her fussi-
ness, even If they be no excuse for her
habit of pitching her nursery tent. in
sites that really are not very eligible.
But this mother has chosen fairly
secluded SPOT. For the most Part she
will be found sitting closely, il she be
approached with caution, or else will
move Just a foot or so from her nest,
ard remain watching jealousy, lest her
eggs take any harm. And close beside
her in the same cover is Mother Pleas
ant on hel nest, less suspicious and
more trustful for she is something Of
n domesticaled person, having been
brought up under a barn door hen. and
so leaning the ways of civilization. Ii
the wild duck mother could learn only
o portion of her trustfulness she would
be a none contented woman.
The wedding of Robert F. Duer and
Miss Annie a. McMaster will take
place at Princess Anne next Tuesday.
Ira i. Robinson and Maggie Il.
Maekey, both of this city, were mar
ried by the Rev. John p. Snyder, IN
Camden, N. j.. last Thursday.