38 BIRDS IN LONDON 



who was an American, had a revolver in his 

 pocket, and pulling it out he fired five shots at 

 the bird at a distance of about six yards, but 

 failed to hit it. He was preparing to reload his 

 weapon/^when, to expedite matters, I picked up 

 a stick and knocked the chicken over, and in 

 less than fifty minutes' time we were picking his 

 bones. 



I doubt if the Hyde Park sportsmen will see 

 anything very amusing in this story. 



The mallard is an extremely handsome 

 fowl, and it is pleasant to see such a bird in 

 flocks, at home on the ornamental waters, and 

 at the same time to learn that it is, in a sense, a 

 wild bird, that in the keenness of its faculties, 

 its power of flight, and nesting habits it differs 

 greatly from its degenerate domestic relation* 

 By day he will feed from any person's hand ; 

 in the evening he returns to his ancient wary 

 habit, and will not suffer a person to approach 

 him. He is active by night, particularly in the 

 autumn, flying about the park and gardens in 

 small flocks and feeding on the grass. It is a 

 curious and delightful experience to be alone on 

 a damp autumn night in Kensington Gardens. 

 One is surrounded by London ; its dull con- 



