270 WILD-FOWL AND SEA-FOWL OF GREAT BRITAIN 



The tide creeps up ; so also do the punts. So 

 thick now are the Wigeon on their last bit of feed 

 that there is barely room for them to move about. 

 The punts are near enough. Four reports ring out 

 before the birds can rise, and three more as they 

 spring, then the tub-shooters get at them, followed 

 by those on shore. Mud-pattens are put on and 

 much gathering takes place, indeed, according to one 

 fowler's statement, there would, when all the fowl 

 were reckoned up from that fortunate manoeuvre, 

 be enough to fill a small cart. But such a chance 

 as this does not often present itself. When it does, 

 it is taken advantage of and is duly recorded in the 

 chronicles of the hamlet. 



The Red-headed Pochard is locally known as 

 Duncur or Dunker, Red-headed Poker or Wigeon 

 Poker, and Great-headed Poker. At present he 

 visits our shores in great numbers, but owing to 

 the consequences of draining the meres and lakes 

 he is not seen now in this country in such vast 

 hordes as in past times, which are well within my 

 recollection. 



The Dun-bird is a good diver, and brings up the 

 food he obtains, to eat it on the surface. Sea-grass 

 (Zostera) is one article in his bill of fare. Although 

 at times the birds cover some quiet pieces of fresh 

 water, they are reckoned as sea-ducks. This term 

 is used comprehensively on the coast either for 

 on-the-water or on-the-wing birds, but there is as 

 much difference between the build of a surface- 

 feeding duck and of a diving duck as there is 



