THE TEAL AND GARGANEY 215 



to spatter and sift for food, either under the banks 

 or round the edges of river tangle. When put up, 

 there is only a flick and a flutter and they are gone. 

 If you are not ready for them the fault will be your 

 own, and you must put up with the consequence. 



A Garganey may be known to frequent a certain 

 place, but one may have to go several times before 

 getting the bird. If a couple are settled there, you 

 may be able to procure them, but as a rule it is 

 only one that comes to grief, for the other shifts. 

 What their numbers may be now in certain districts 

 cannot be said, because it is impossible to reckon, 

 for changes come with such rapidity that old haunts 

 of fowl vanish almost directly the change has been 

 decided upon. 



My limited experience of the habits of the 

 Garganey is that they are of a secretive nature 

 when frequenting inland waters. Sometimes one 

 or a couple will frequent a quiet bit of water close 

 to some mansion. 



"Hi, Luce ! " and round the corner of the looker's 

 house appeared one of the finest spaniels that ever 

 a fowler would wish to look at. A beauty she was, 

 white with liver-coloured patches, and, though that 

 is saying a great deal, as good as she was good- 

 looking. The looker's wife and children were 

 fond of her, and that was all very well when she 

 had to be at home ; but her devotion was for her 

 master. He was a good one, and she would watch 

 for him, and, when allowed, follow him everywhere. 

 "No, Luce ; no, my gal, you can't cum to-day. 



