254 Wild Ducks, Water- Birds, Sea- Fowl. 



and will occasionally allow you to come pretty near 

 to it. The widgeon only stays with us during the 

 \ ^., winter, and appears 



in vast flocks. It 

 gives grass and other 

 plants a much greater 

 prominence in its diet 

 than any of the other 

 wild ducks, and de- 

 lights in salt grasses. 

 Owing to the many 

 enemies with which 

 the young of the wild 

 duck would be sur- 

 rounded did the parents nest near to the water which 

 they frequent, it is the habit with many of the species 

 to build in the most unexpected parts. Some nests 

 may be found at a considerable distance from the water, 

 amid tussocks of dry grass and furze on the moors, 

 or even in heather and in low fir trees. Not the least 

 among these enemies is the intrusive cruel brown 

 rat, to which the young of other water-birds too often 

 fall a prey. The ducks are excellent parents, and are 

 on the watch constantly against the many enemies of 

 their young. 



Beside the ducks there are, on or near any pond or 

 retired piece of water, sure to be representatives of 

 other species coots as well as moor-hens with many 

 varieties of snipe. The coot is a most nimble bird, 

 with great powers in swimming and in doing work under 

 water. One peculiarity the coot has : though its feet 

 are shorter than those of the water-hen, this dis- 

 advantage is made up to it by a slight fringe of 

 webbing, which is no doubt of the greatest benefit to 



