92 ON THE MOORLANDS 
his cruel jaws upon the little hens that soon 
would swim above his lair. For the jack 
loves small ducks and _ suchlike things 
whereof to make a meal. Nor does this cruel 
monster, with an iron maw well armed with 
teeth, the tiger terror of the deep still stream, 
spare the young of his own kind when his 
appetite is keen. 
But we were in luck. ‘Did you see that wild 
duck in the reeds ? -Cm- sure” his smaateme 
there also. Yes, there she is, they are feed- 
ing quietly, said Ted. -°-Do- let wis +tr ap 
get a snapshot of the pair,’ said I. But the 
female duck was shy, though he was bolder, 
and kept swimming round, to see that all 
was safe. When we got near the pair had 
disappeared. But focussing upon an outlet 
in the reeds, which the drake, a fine mallard, 
had made for himself and which was evidently 
his favourite swim, I had not long to wait 
and added one. more picture to) oun lise 
Not being after nesting-time he had lost the 
curly feathers at the end of his tail, and was 
insombre garb (this curious change of plumage 
