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CHAPTER VII. 
WATER BIRDS. 
T first thought it might perhaps be concluded that 
in a strictly inland district, comparatively few 
species of birds of purely aquatic habits wouid be found. 
In this locality, however, there are features which tend 
materially to modify this conclusion. The numerous 
parks which have given the forest district the title of the 
“ dukeries,’ are most of them graced by artificial lakes 
of greater or less extent. That at Thoresby covers about 
ninety-five acres, and those at Clumber and Welbeck are 
not much smaller; while Rufford and some others are 
more contracted. These lakes, with the streams supply- 
ing and flowing from them, lie in the greatest seclusion, 
and form secure and quiet sanctuaries, which offer such 
attractions that, in addition to their ordinary residents, 
few winters pass without the presence of some of the 
rarer species of water-fowl. The river Trent also forms 
a sort of highway from the sea, by which many littoral 
and pelagic species find their way into the district ; and 
it is chiefly thus that we can account for the occurrence 
of the solan goose, the little auk, the terns, and other 
true sea-birds amongst those which visit us occasionally ; 
and the goosander, the smew, and some of the gulls as 
constant winter residents. 
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