2 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



much of their time on fresh water, frequenting 

 rivers, marshes, lakes, and quiet out of the way 

 pools, where they get their chief sustenance, and 

 rear their young. The diving Ducks, on the other 

 hand, affect harbours and estuaries where the water 

 is brackish, and by day keep much at sea. Some 

 of these, like the Scaup and Scoter, seldom come 

 inland, except in severe weather or after a gale. 



The surface-feeding Ducks never dive for food 

 further than they can reach without totally im- 

 mersing the body, though but the end of the tail 

 alone be seen, as is often the case when a tempting 

 bank is just within reach. When in difficulties, 

 however, and as a last resort to escape, they can 

 dive well ; and when wounded this power is an 

 important safeguard. If at such times they could 

 fly, they would surely do so. When moulting, and 

 devoid of wing power, their action is the same as 

 when crippled. In fine, though they do not dive 

 naturally, they are well able to do so when deprived 

 of other and usual means of escape. 



When driven from the nest, all Ducks and Divers 

 are wont to dive, from their anxiety to remain in 

 the vicinity of their eggs or brood ; but this is not a 

 case in point. 



The diving Ducks, such as those already men- 

 tioned, sink out of sight when seeking their food, 

 which lies at the bottom of the water. When pressed 

 or alarmed they will, like all ducks, and most divers, 

 rise and seek safety by flight alone. They never 

 dive from palpable danger in preference to flying. 

 When wounded and winged their actions are similar 

 to the surface Ducks ; but from constant practice, 



