HABITS OF WIGEON. 39 



often making as much noise as a large company. 

 Unless the fowler can plainly distinguish their out- 

 line on the bank, he should not fire in the hope of 

 killing others he cannot see, but may think are 

 with them. A large company of Wigeon feeding in 

 earnest are oftentimes the most silent ; though 

 when in shot, or nearly so, you can discern the low 

 croaking purr of satisfaction emitted by the hen, the 

 soft quiet whistle of the cock, and the rippling bills 

 as they shovel greedily along the ooze. Duck and 

 Wigeon, when they get the chance, are as fond of 

 feeding by day as by night. It is an error to sup- 

 pose that it is invariably after dark the latter seek 

 their food ; they prefer night, because they are then 

 safer from disturbance in most places ; but when left 

 alone in spots where food abounds, they will feed 

 with avidity during the day. They are driven to 

 the flats as being most secure from molestation ; but 

 at high tide, on a lonely shore, or on the borders of 

 quiet inland lakes, I have many times seen Duck, 

 Wigeon, and Teal, happily nibbling the short grass 

 of the adjoining meadows. To inland wildfowl, a 

 wet grass field is an allurement at night that is 

 seldom neglected. 



Numbers give security to fowl at night. A few 

 feeding by themselves feel lonely ; they stop con- 

 tinually to whistle loud and shrill, in the hope of 

 attracting others, or in expectation of an answering 

 call. Now and then they will listen, silent and 

 uneasy ; at such times the slightest noise puts them 

 up. Birds calling frequently by no means show 

 that they are part of a large number, or are busy 

 feeders, and so careless of approach. It is always 



