46 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



vessels. Bear in mind, the more stormy the evening 

 the better for flighting, if you care to try it at the 

 day's end. 



Wigeon are far more nimble on their feet than 

 Duck, and give a very quick chase, if only winged, 

 on mud or shore. It is their habit to call as they 

 fly. Duck and Teal, when passing over others 

 below, will also do so, but not often. If Duck are 

 put up they call loudly from fear, and not as a 

 natural habit. The note of the female is much the 

 loudest, that of the mallard being weak and high- 

 pitched in comparison. 



Wigeon rise in silence and seldom utter any cry, 

 as will Duck when chased and wounded. The 

 former are much more systematic in their move- 

 ments than the latter ; they will leave their feeding- 

 grounds en masse, and stop away till they return at 

 night for food. Duck and Teal may be seen at all 

 hours throughout the day in small numbers on the 

 flats ; Wigeon seldom fly aimlessly away when 

 disturbed, or at early flight, but steer for some well- 

 known resting-place, where they are tolerably safe 

 from molestation. They are much affected by 

 weather, such as violent gales ; and without doubt 

 sleep in anticipation of being tossed for days in the 

 coming storm. At such times it seems as if a spell 

 were cast over them ; they are then tame, I may say 

 stupid, beyond belief. A few hours' lull in a three 

 days' gale, is the time of all others to try for Wigeon. 

 The bag of one hundred and thirty-nine, before 

 alluded to, was thus obtained. They are at such 

 times so happy in the sudden cessation of wind and 

 wave, and probably so well aware of its temporary 



