224 KRIDER'S SPORTING ANECDOTES. 



" This species (the American) is closely al- 

 lied to the European widgeon. The} 7 seem to 

 meet each other about the Artie circle ; that of 

 the American extending beyond it, and that of 

 Europe reaching to the European verge. The 

 bird of Europe, except in the breeding season, 

 is mostly an inhabitant of the sea-shore ; during 

 a severe winter, a few stray inland to the larger 

 lakes and rivers, but as soon as a recurrence of 

 moderate weather takes place, they return to 

 their more favorite feeding grounds. In Britain 

 they are mostly migratory, and at the first com- 

 mencement of our hard weather, are found in 

 vast flocks on the flatter coasts, particularly 

 where there are beds of muscles, and other 

 shell-fish. During the day, they rest and plume 

 themselves on the higher shelves, or doze buoy- 

 ant on the waves, and only commence their 

 activity with the approach of twilight. At this 

 time they become clamorous, and rising in 

 dense flocks from their day's resort, proceed to 

 the feeding grounds, generally according with 

 the wind in the same tract. At the commence- 

 ment of winter, they are fat and delicate, much 

 sought after by sportsmen, and are killed by per- 

 sons lying in watch in the track of the known 

 flight, or what, in some parts, is called slaking. 



