102 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



Mallard-drakes lose their glossy green heads and 

 pearly backs towards the end of June, preparatory to 

 undergoing that "eclipse" that is peculiar to their genus. 

 They now seek the shelter of the thickest reed-beds and 

 rank marsh-vegetation ; for in July, having completely 

 moulted their quills, they become incapable of flight. 

 The normal plumage is not fully recovered before mid- 

 October. 



June 21. — A redshank on the river-side — a sign they 

 are quitting their breeding-places and preparing to move. 



June 24.' — A single whimbrel on Cheviot. I have 

 many notes of them (inland) in May, and again at end 

 of July ; but the above seems a " belated " date — probably 

 an immature bird, which do not breed. 



During the long summer nights, the black-headed 

 gulls hawk after moths all the evening and even after 

 it is quite dusk, hovering over newly-mown hay-fields 

 and darting amidst trees, like nightjars after their prey. 



