40 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



approached their numbers increased, and we being pro- 

 bably less conspicuous from decreasing light, the open 

 water at our side was chosen for their resting-place. 

 Down they would come on the water, almost imperilling 

 our heads, with the rustling sound of the eagle in the 

 act of swooping upon his prey, while some of their com- 

 panions, less certain of the security of this halting- 

 place, would sweep round and round our locale before 

 they finally selected it. As soon as the birds struck 

 the water they would commence bathing themselves* 

 flapping their bodies with their wings, diving with 

 short plunges, and cutting so many capers that one 

 might imagine them stark, staring mad. The fact, 

 however, is, that all this apparent eccentricity is caused 

 by the necessity the ducks feel of cleaning themselves 

 of the insects about their plumage, as well as the 

 pleasure they experience in finding themselves again 

 in a milder climate, with abundance of food around 

 them, after enduring a hard journey from the stormy 

 North, protracted possibly through a day and night. 

 On arrival, therefore, they wash themselves and 

 arrange their dress before commencing their meal an 

 example other travellers would do well to imitate. 

 But, as the night advanced, some strangers are mixed 

 with the throng. The dusky duck, the gadwall, the 

 pintail, the blue and green winged teal, shoot past 



