92 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



habits of a certain few species. It would be difficult 

 enough to attempt anything dealing with the general 

 habits of these Palmipedes, for whole volumes have 

 been devoted to describing the life-history of our 

 British ducks. 



To my mind the most interesting of the local 

 ducks is the Common Scoter, whose presence here 

 off-shore corresponds only with the advent and 

 continuation of the severest weather. 



The Wigeon is without doubt the most abundant 

 local species ; dropping in in varying numbers every 

 March, it is sometimes exceedingly numerous. 

 Flocks of from 500 to 1000 are not uncommon 

 occasionally on Breydon, where the " widgeon grass " 

 (Zostera marina), which flourishes on the mud flats, 

 affords an excellent supply of food. The birds most 

 industriously drag it out of the muds, for the sake 

 of the white succulent stalks, which are nibbled off 

 and devoured ; the slender leaves, left to float upon 

 the surface, drift down on the ebb in great green 

 patches. The Wigeon may be seen in the daytime 

 napping, and preening their feathers, occasionally 

 varying these exercises by that of feeding ; and they 

 may be heard babbling in the dark, still busily 

 pulling up the grass for their evening meal, an 



