14 WILD DUCK. 



do not freeze, and in the rivers which are generally partially 

 open, assembling in small parties or flocks; but in severe 

 seasons they are often driven to great extremity, but we do 

 not think that the individuals belonging, as it were, to a 

 district, migrate far, or seek the coast. In a locality not 

 more than twelve miles distant, we have rather seen an 

 increase than the reverse at such times, and in one or two 

 winters of unusual severity which have occurred within the 

 last twenty years, where almost every pool or hole was either 

 entirely blown up by snow, or frozen, we have seen the 

 Wild Duck, (generally so shy) so reduced as to seek for any 

 greener spot in a field, or the least open part of a ditch, 

 and, if disturbed from these, merely fly around, or to a 

 short distance, until the cause of annoyance had been removed, 

 their bodies being at the same time completely emaciated. 



Upon the sea-coast there is always a considerable number 

 to be found during winter and in severe weather, but bearing 

 no proportion to the large flocks of Wigeon and some of 

 the true sea Ducks; these we conceive to have been either 

 birds which have migrated from another country, or those 

 which belonged to the district in the immediate vicinity of 

 the coast, and they have resorted to the sea more as a 

 resting-place than for food, preferring at all times to seek it 

 inland, unless when the severity of the weather has completely 

 shut up all their accustomed sources.' 



On the water they are most at home, and there, if you 

 can watch them, yourself unobserved, in their natural haunts, 

 you will see them in every variety of posture, attitude, and 

 occupation; some idly floating about on the still surface; 

 others asleep, or half-asleep, the head turned back and the 

 bill pillowed among the plumage; others ducking and diving 

 in joyous sport; here one lying on its side and basking in 

 the sun, and there another standing on the bank and preening 

 its feathers into trim array. 



They make their food of grain, worms, slugs, small fish, 

 land and water insects, and these latter they snatch at and 

 catch on the water, or pick up at times, especially in dull humid 

 weather, on the dry, or to speak more exactly, on the moist 

 land. They also eat the leaves of various plants and grain. 



As the day wears away towards evening, before, and as if 

 making arrangements for, their departure for the night, Wild 

 Ducks set up a clamorous gabbling, the female being both 

 the loudest and most incessaut in her conversational powers. 



