Yes, it is a dusting bowl. Here are a couple of pictures of a hen nesting. You will have to look closely. She is sitting in the middle of the picture. Her tail is to the left and her head (which you can't see) is to the right. I just about stepped on her while carrying debris from my garden. She would let me approach within 10 feet and not move. Rarely she would leave the nest for food, but when she did, that's when I got pictures of the eggs. So if you're looking for a nesting hen, as you see, you have to be pretty lucky to find one. On second thought, I should have bought a lottery ticket that day... :>)