WIGEON 113 
water and he is up again, but without his prey, and the 
Ducks and other birds closely pack, keeping to the water, 
their only sanctuary. A very Babel of sound now fills the 
air, as the flocks, by their angry threats, endeavour to drive 
off the enemy. There is much confusion in the ranks ; 
some, more frightened than the rest, immediately dive, but 
none attempt to fly as long as the Peregrine lurks overhead. 
Now, however, the attention of the Falcon is attracted by a 
flock of Plover, crossing the estuary. In a moment he is 
among them, and, singling out his victim, enters on his 
deadly chase. Out over the sea the two birds fly until 
finally they disappear from view. 
Wigeon do not invariably remain on the water when 
disturbed by the first sight of the Falcon in the distance. 
I have seen thousands of them rise and join with immense 
companies of ‘waders,’ the great dark cloud of birds utterly 
deserting the estuaries and sand-flats for miles around. 
Wigeon are very sociable; an entire flock will rest, fly, 
and feed together. Unlke the Mallard and many other 
species of Ducks, they usually rise in silence, and do not 
whistle until they are well on the wing. ‘On inland 
waters they may often be seen in company with Coots, 
and will watch the latter diving for and bringing up 
pond-weed, when they rush in and seize it’ (Ussher). 
Food.—In their movements Wigeon are most regular. 
By day they rest on the water, especially during high tide, 
and after dusk! visit the Zostera-covered sand-flats, to feed, 
varying their hours according to the tide. They assemble 
at their feeding-grounds as the ooze becomes bare. They 
are then usually silent, save a soft purr of satisfaction which 
is uttered by the females when undisturbed. 
As an article of food, the Wigeon is much sought after, 
and is sorely persecuted by the ‘punt gunner.’ Although 
vast quantities are destroyed for the markets, it is pleasant 
to think that this pretty Duck is not sensibly diminishing 
in numbers. It is practically marine in its habits, yet its 
flesh is palatable. This is so because the bird is not, 
as a rule, a lover of shell-fish, feeding almost entirely on 
vegetable matter. I have occasionally tasted very ‘ fishy ’ 
Wigeon, old birds shot on the coast, and have found shell- 
fish and marine-worms in the gizzards of a few. 
' Tn localities where Wigeon are not harassed by gunners they will 
feed also during the day. 
8 
