310 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



driving - clouds, and the ducks are more easily discerned 

 against their half-translucent masses. At last, in despair 

 of finding" a safe landing on the mud, down drop the 

 wigeon in the open water, and presently paddle cautiously 

 inshore. But even then there is no absolute security. To 

 the very outermost verge of the plains of rotten ooze, 

 some hardy gunner, inspired to the tips of his toes with 

 the predatory instinct, has found a way by "plodging" 

 down the course of some burn, whose shell-paved bed 

 will just bear his weight. There he lies flat on his slimy 

 couch ; the armful of bent-grass he has brought to rest 

 on, already soaked by the rising tide, and the ooze and 

 water slowly creeping into his sea-boots and all over him. 

 Presently the little flotilla looms on the moonlit water 

 in his front. He will not move a muscle now, though 

 the water rises inches around him : and as the ducks 

 draw inshore, he has the reward he sought. One by one 

 his dog brings in the slain, and he departs homewards — 

 satisfied. Verily it is hard and bitter work, this flight- 

 shooting on our British coasts in winter, and one can only 

 admire the resolute pluck which alone can command 

 success. But zeal is sometimes carried to excess, and, to 

 my knowledge, the strongest constitutions have become 

 mere wrecks from the long hours of wet and bitter cold 

 spent on those wintry oozes. 



The objects sought by the different ducks on their 

 nocturnal excursions vary in each species. The mallard, 

 with its omnivorous tastes, is not confined to any 

 single feeding-ground but speeds away on divers courses ; 

 some far inland to root about in potato-fields, or to search 

 for acorns, or stray grains in the stubble. Others make 

 straight for some clover-seeds or "hard corn" they wot 

 of; while another contingent remains to feed on the 



