CHAPTER XLV. 



WIDGEON SHOOTING. 



" The wandering flocks, expelled from northern shores, 

 In varied forms pursue their trackless way, 

 Courting the genial aspect of the south, 

 Whilst iron Winter holds his despot sway." 



T. HUGHES. 



THE widgeon (Anas Penelope} offers the fairest sport to the wild- 

 fowl shooter of any bird that flies, but more to the punter than he 

 who confines himself to land sports : in winter, whether by night 

 or day, widgeon may be found in large companies in quiet bays, 

 rivers, and arms of the sea. The natural habits of the widgeon 

 are not wild j indeed, no bird of the duck species is easier to 

 tame : but when subject to frequent persecution by the sportsman, 

 they acquire a watchful habit, and sometimes become the most diffi- 

 cult of all wild-fowl to approach successfully with punt and gun. 

 Their favourite haunts are on the extensive oozes, grassy creeks, and 

 muddy savannas of tidal bays and rivers ; where every tide waters 

 and refreshes those plains, and forces the vegetation of a green sea- 

 weed, causing it to grow luxuriantly on the putrescent, but rich, soil. 

 On the very roots of that weed the widgeon feeds, and fattens. These 

 birds are highly esteemed for the table, as one of the most delicious 

 of wild-fowl ; and always find a ready demand and sale in the market. 

 In former days they were considered only second to wild-duck, as 

 appears by the prices paid for them.* 



Widgeon are migratory as well as gTegarious, and are generally 

 very numerous about the coast in sharp weather, often remaining, at 

 different intervals, the whole season in one particular locality where 

 there chances to be abundance of food j and, when so settled, all the 



* " Item, wegions for my lorde at principal! feestes, and no other tyme, and at 

 7d. ob. the pece, except my lorde's commandment be othenvyse." Northwub. Ho. 

 Book. 



