406 FEATHEEED GAME 



than are the bodies of most ducks. This model 

 must be necessary, for none of the family need 

 such speed in the water as these which feed 

 upon an active prey which must often be pur- 

 sued some distance before it is captured. It 

 is a form easily driven through the air, too, if 

 we may argue anything from the forelaying 

 necessary to stop a crossing bird in shooting. 



Shelldrakes are generally found in flocks 

 ranging from half-a-dozen to twenty, rarely 

 more except in migration. Commonly, unless 

 there is no danger, they place a watcher over 

 the flock while feeding. Usually all but the 

 bird on "sentry go" dive together while fish- 

 ing so as to leave less opportunity for their 

 prey to escape. Often they drive a school of 

 small fry into shoal water and pursuing them 

 into a narrow place may even force their vic- 

 tims high and dry ashore by their furious 

 rushes. In such a case they will almost finish 

 a school, for they are very voracious feeders. 



The Goosander is the largest of the Amer- 

 ican Shelldrakes and somewhat rare in the sea 

 except in the winter months when the few that 

 do not go south are compelled to dwell upon 

 the salt water or in the cabinet of some collec- 



