272 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



habitation of man. The extended drainage of waste 

 lands and increased cultivation have no doubt con- 

 duced more than anything else to the scarcity of a 

 bird which was once plentifully distributed over the 

 entire country. 



On approaching the edge of a pond at a distance 

 from a flock of Teal, they may be seen silently re- 

 posing on the water. Immediately the intruder is 

 perceived, a harsh call is heard, and they spring 

 suddenly into the air, wheeling round and about with 

 amazing rapidity, now looking black, now white, 

 according as the upper or under surface of their 

 bodies is presented to the eye. Frequently, as 

 though intending to alight, they fall through the air 

 with a whistling sound, recovering themselves when 

 apparently in the water, and rising again to a height. 

 These manoeuvres are repeated until the eye is 

 strained in following them, and the whole flock at 

 length settle down again in silence and repose 

 as before. At such times it requires no small 

 amount of caution to get near enough to them for a 

 shot. 



Col. Hawker, whose practical knowledge of wild- 

 fowl has rarely if ever been equalled, has described 



