In addition to building their own nests, female mallard ducks will sometimes lay eggs in the nests of other female mallards if they notice the other duck leaving her nest. This behavior is uncommon in natural settings because the nests are typically well concealed. However, when artificial nesting platforms are introduced to assist the ducks in breeding, they inadvertently disrupt the reproductive success of the ducks. These platforms often become overcrowded with additional eggs, resulting in few, if any, of the eggs hatching. The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?