BIRDS OF THE MARSH AND LAKE 397 



as the nesting- season approaches, but it may be 

 said that in few is the double transformation so 

 rapid and so marked as in the case of the Mallard. 



As the winter draws on, great flocks of Mallards 

 from northern latitudes visit the lake, and these 

 are accompanied by parties of Widgeon and Teal. 

 The Teal are far less wary than any of their con- 

 geners, and if startled from their shelter they 

 usualh' flv in circles about the lower part of the 

 lake, soon dropping again into the reeds. Both 

 the Teal and the Widgeon remain upon the w^ater 

 during the day, but the Mallard wander afar, 

 returning to feed on the plashy margins at almost 

 exactly the same time every night. Just as the 

 darkness falls on the wintry scene, the listener in 

 the reeds may hear the whistling of wings. Gradu- 

 ally the sound grows more distinct, and at length 

 the dim forms are seen beating their way through 

 the gloom. They are so near that the young duck- 

 shooter usually fires at their first approach, and is 

 surprised to find that no bird falls, but that the 

 flight appears instantly to melt into the upper 

 darkness and to vanish like shadows. They are 

 really at a considerable height, and, if left undis- 

 turbed, they wnll wheel round and round over the 

 feeding-ground, falling lower at every circle, until 

 at length they drop with a faint splash into the 

 reed-pools, ploughing a long, rippling track in 

 the face of the dark water. 



The Teal and the Mallard are both night-feeders, 

 but the Widgeon, although its whistling cry may 

 often be heard in the darkness as it wings its way 



