30 BIRDS OF THE WATER 



refuges. The edges were quite paddled with 

 trampling, and no doubt the young had 

 escaped by some well-known run up the 

 rough cliffs, and dropped again quietly into 

 the stream above or below us. 



A similar catastrophe all but occurred 

 again a few days later. Another brood had 

 been marked and gently drifted down stream 

 to the chosen pool, yet even while the 

 camera was being unpacked and fixed, the 

 birds were gone. After long search, how- 

 ever, I found the two youngsters hidden 

 between great limestone rocks, a strong 

 stream breaking over them, and only their 

 heads visible. It was not until my hands 

 were upon them that any movement was 

 made, then they splashed off, diving like 

 frightened trout. 



After their reappearance, however, there 

 was no further attempt at concealment. 

 They never again tried to escape by flight 

 or by diving, and quietly allowed us to 

 photograph them. 



Although thus plentiful on the run, only 

 twice, and each time after heavy southerly 

 gales with rain, have Blue Ducks been 



