S34 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX 



and their necks shorter, it is not difficult to distin- 

 guish their species. Widgeon, when in flight, always 

 keep up their call-note ; Ducks fly in silence." * 



This last remark, however, is not in accordance 

 with my own experience, for I have frequently heard 

 Ducks, when suddenly sprung, commence to quack, 

 continuing their cry until out of hearing. 



Mr. Waterton remarks t that the Widgeon differs 

 from many other wild fowl, hoth in the nature of its 

 food and in the time of procuring it. " The Mallard, 

 the Pochard, and the Teal obtain nearly the whole 

 of their nourishment during the night. On the 

 contrary, the Widgeon procures its food in the day- 

 time, and that food is grass." 



I have observed Widgeon call a good deal at night. 

 Their soft wdiistling note, like " tvhee-ou, ivliee-ou,'' 

 may be heard on still nights at a great distance. 

 When sitting on the water, they look smaller and 

 blacker than Ducks. 



Common Scoter, Anas nigra. Provincial, Velvet 

 Duck and Black Duck. This is almost exclusively 

 a sea bird, and is seldom seen inland, except during 

 heavy gales, when it comes no further from the coast 

 than possible, but accepts the nearest refuge, and 

 that only as a temporary retreat. 



I have seen two examples of the Common Scoter 



* Folkard's ' Wild Fowler.' London, 1859, p. 113. 

 t ' Essays in Natural History,' 1st Series, p. 180. 



