Anas obscura. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1897. although there was plenty of down under and about them. The May 22. nest was placed near the edge of the bed of yew (which covered (no. 2). about 20 feet square) on firm dry ground five or six feet above high-water mark, near the eastern extremity of the island, and about 30 feet from the water's edge in three directions. May 23. My sole excursion during the day was to the little island at the entrance to the channel to photograph the Black Duck's nest. Three of us went in the boat and the noise we made in landing (although no more than we made yesterday) started the sitting bird who rose again directly from the nest and went straight up through the trees in the opposite direction from that which she took yesterday. After taking a number of photographs of the nest and eggs I left my camera in position, first masking it with green boughs, hoping that the Duck would not notice it on her return. But if she returned to the nest at all her keen eyes marked the suspicious object for at intervals during the forenoon we saw her flying uneasily about the island in company with her mate. At 1 P.M. I sent Gilbert for the camera. He reported that the bird was not on the nest.