282 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XIX. 



common mallard is almost wholly nocturnal in his 

 feeding, and does not regulate his movements by 

 the state of the tide. 



The sheldrakes, who were so numerous a few 

 weeks ago about the sandbanks and bar, have now 

 nearly all disappeared, and their places are sup- 

 plied by innumerable curlews and other waders, 

 all of whom appear to find their food in the moist 

 sands left by the ebb-tide, which in this country 

 contain an endless supply of shellfish of different 

 kinds, from the minutest species, fit only to feed 

 the dunlin and sandpiper, to those which serve for 

 food to the oyster-catcher, whose powerful bill is 

 well adapted to breaking up the strongest cockles 

 and mussels which are found in this district. 



