266 Manual of the Game Birds of India. 



in the neighbouring reeds and aquatic 

 plants ; or else, by diving and reappear- 

 ing at a distance, endeavour to decoy the 

 intruder from her precious charge." 



I transcribe the following interesting 

 notes from Mr. Stevenson's " Birds of 

 Norfolk " : — " It is seldom the wild duck 

 is distressed for food, and even when 

 frozen out, the supply of acorns, which 

 are almost always to be had, even in 

 snowy weather, proves a great attraction. 



" A large number of wild duck nest 

 every year in Norfolk, generally dispersed 

 over the county ; and, although the greater 

 number are produced in the Broad district, 

 there is scarcely a stream or piece of water 

 of any extent which does not form a 

 nursery for a brood or two at some time. 

 Our sluggish rivers, meandering through a 

 flat country, and in many places flanked 

 by damp woods and cars, are a source of 

 great attraction to these birds, but many 

 nest on dry open heaths, at a distance 

 of a couple of miles from any water, under 

 the shelter of a whin bush or a clump of 

 brakes, whence the old birds lead their 

 young ones to the nearest water. . . . 

 One curious circumstance in connection 

 with the nesting of the wild duck is the 

 frequency of the occurrence of pheasants' 



