6 THE CONDOR Vol. XVII

with comparative ease I would take them home with me; otherwise I would take the chance of the bird returning to them by leaving them in the nest. Picking one up, and hooking my thumb and forefinger about it, I placed it to my eye; with the sunlight on the opposite side I could note that incubation was advanced. Fig. 3. ANOTHER VIEW OF THE NEST OF TIlE LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL, 8HOWIlG DETAIL OF COlSTRUCTIO.N But just as ] held the egg to the sun, between thumb and finger, there came an awful clatter from the grassy jungles near at hand, the protest and expression of indignation of the parent at my conduct: "CHAC.K, CItACK, cmc, chack, ehaek, ehaek!!" As if to say, "HEY, YOU, put that egg back!" The first syllable was loud, harsh and startling, and each succeeding one