WILD FOWL ON AN ESTUARY WINTER 275 



big gun. Their curious whistle, so startlingly like 

 that of a man calling a comrade, is uttered as they 

 rise, and during flight ; and differs from their cry 

 on the bank, or on the water. 



The quacking ducks are the teal, and the mallard. 

 The teal looks a miniature mallard; the mallard a 

 gigantic teal. Both are here : the tiny teal in tiny 

 flocks ; the mallard in greater numbers,, as becomes 

 his greater size. 



While widgeon, and scaup move up and down 

 with the tide, and are seldom absent from the 

 estuary, the mallard has regular habits. One 

 knows exactly when and where to look for him. 

 All day he rides in safety beyond the bar, and 

 takes to the wing just after dusk. Dark comes 

 early at this time of the year. If one takes his 

 stand at the water-side at half -past four, he will not 

 have long to wait. If he is unaware of what is 

 going to happen, he is not unlikely to be startled 

 by the rush of wings. 



On calm nights they usually fly high, probably 

 out of sight in the faint light. When there is 

 much wind, they come nearer the ground, and 

 within easier range. The firing of guns records 

 the great speed at which they are travelling. The 

 first sounds near at hand ; the second comes faintly 



