316 OUR RARER BIRDS 



and finally the whole party of birds are sporting and splashing 

 in the pool seemingly for very amusement. The excitement 

 ceases as suddenly as it commenced. Some horses are being 

 brought to drink, and the whole flock of birds close up into a 

 compact party and float gradually from shore to the centre of 

 the lake, where danger is avoided and the approach of enemies 

 defied. Although the birds may seem utterly regardless of 

 danger, they are ever on the watch, and the slightest alarm 

 instantly sends them off to much safer quarters. You not 

 unfrequently disturb a pair of these birds from the smallest 

 pools, especially during winter, and their hurried departure 

 from the reeds almost startles you as much as your presence 

 alarmed them. When approached suddenly the Wild Duck 

 instantly prepares for flight. It cannot rise for a few moments, 

 but flaps hastily along the surface of the water, often quacking 

 loudly until it gets well upon the wing. Few birds fly more 

 rapidly than the Wild Duck, its quickly moving wings bearing 

 it along with great speed and making a loud noise. These 

 birds are much attached to a chosen haunt, and return in 

 spite of continual disturbance. When a pair of birds rise 

 from a pool you will notice that the duck is the first to take 

 wing, the drake gallantly waiting until his mate has well 

 begun her flight before he follows her. 



The habits of the Wild Duck may also be studied to ad- 

 vantage by any one whose fancy leads him to the coast during 

 the winter months. Then the birds sometimes congregate 

 with other Ducks the Wigeon, the Teal, and the Garganey, 

 and frequent the mudflats at low water, and the brackish 

 pools and streams near the coast, often wading and swimming 

 up the latter for miles. Streams too are visited, especially in 

 a long-continued frost, the running water rarely freezing, and 

 thus allowing the birds to seek for their food. I am of 

 opinion that the Wild Duck seeks the shore itself more from 

 necessity than choice, and always prefers fresh to salt water. 



