228 WANDERINGS AND MEMORIES 



evening was closing in. In a short time the flight 

 to feeding-grounds would have passed and it would 

 be useless to remain longer, when, looking out to 

 sea, I noticed some tiny dots coming from the 

 south. I at once got under cover. At first they 

 inclined towards the coast to the right, and then, 

 as they came nearer, I saw them turn and point 

 straight in my direction. They were two Goos- 

 anders, both going very fast, with a slight following 

 wind. Fortunately they were not high, and as 

 they came up over me I killed both with a quick 

 right and left, when they fell dead almost at my 

 feet. 



I tried the Goosanders again several times after 

 this lucky evening, as I was anxious to get a speci- 

 men for the British Museum and some of my 

 friends who are keen duck enthusiasts, but no 

 chance again presented itself for some time. 



The Goosanders usually fed in the shallows on the 

 far side of the lake, where, owing to its open nature, 

 their feeding-ground was impregnable. However, 

 on September 1st they came to our side of the lake, 

 and frequented the exit of the fresh- water stream 

 that flowed from " Henderson's." Here I observed 

 them one morning, and after waiting an hour they 

 worked in to the stones in shallow water within 

 fifty yards of my hiding-place. If they had been 

 diving, a successful shot would have been a cer- 

 tainty, but in very shallow water Goosander feed 

 in a peculiar fashion and do not dive. They swim 

 swiftly to and fro amongst the rocks with the head 

 under water. When a small flounder, sea-trout or 

 other fish is spied, they dash headlong in pursuit. 

 The head is then raised at once, whether the pursuit 



