File:The Oölogist for the student of birds, their nests and eggs (1909) (14566020257).jpg

Identifier: ologistforstud261909latt (find matches)
Title: The Oölogist for the student of birds, their nests and eggs
Year: 1886 (1880s)
Authors: Lattin, Frank H
Subjects: Birds Birds
Publisher: Albion, N.Y. : Frank H. Lattin

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ail-road bedwhich was elevated above the pondprobably 15 feet. From where I was seated, the whiteeggs could be seen gleaming throughthe grass. After a half hour of patientwaiting, the white gleam disappearedand I knew the Rail had returned tothe nest. I pulled the string—heardthe click of the shutter and felt re-paid for my efforts. Slipping cautiously down the string,I approached the camera. Mrs. Raildid not move this time and I was al-lowed to turn the plateholder andsnap her again before she emergedwith swelling feathers and scoldingnotes for all the world like an angrydomestic Hen. As I reloaded the camera she wouldapproach behind me, sometimes with-in two feet and turning quickly Iwould find her in an attitude whichseemed at the point of attack. I found it necessary to retrace mysteps 15 or 20 feet before she could beinduced to return to her eggs. Repeat-ing the performance time and again Isucceeded in getting six views. Themale joined in the scolding but would THE OOLOGIST 211
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PLATE 20. Nest and Eggs of King Rail near Philo, III. —Photo by Isaac E. Hess, June 10, 1909. 212 THE OOLOGIST approach no nearer than 30 feet, whereI could catch only occasional glimpsesas he skulked through the grasses.He was undoubtedly shy. On June 13th, I wheeled to a larg-er pond four miles south of town andfound King Rails where I had in sea-sons past, looked in vain. I locatedfour more nests—one of which con-tained 9 eggs, one 10, and two nestshad complements of 12 eggs. Of theten birds represented by the 5 nestsfound, not a single one flushed or rosefrom the ground. Indeed I never would have seen aRail had I not carefully looked overeach bunch of grass and parted eachone for a close investigation. Because of the difficulty in flushingthe King Rail, explains why my manymiles of weary tramping availed menothing. And all the time I had but to lookto find the golden treasurers at myfeet. ISAAC B. HESS. ■.■^ting of !- mantopus Mexicanus inLos Ancijles Co., California. svhi

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