i88 HAUNTS AND HOBBIES 



I have often watched the birds making this change 

 of position ; it is a sight most pretty to witness. 

 The change is effected so quietly, so easily, without 

 pause, confusion, or even the least diminution of 

 speed. 



In regard to the two converging lines in which these 

 birds fly, it is curious that they are never of the same 

 length, one line being always considerably longer than 

 the other. The difference is occasionally very great. 

 I have seen the one line consist of no more than two 

 birds; the leader and the bird behind him ; while in the 

 other line the number of the birds amounts to as many 

 as six or even eight ; and what is more curious, if 

 I remember correctly, is that the longer line is invariably 

 the line on the right. 



The flight of these aquatic birds is very different 

 to that of the vultures, kites, swallows, or indeed any of 

 the purely land birds : they do not sweep round nor 

 circle, nor rise nor fall, nor augment nor diminish their 

 speed. They proceed on always in the same direct 

 course, and at the same uniform pace. The most 

 striking to observe are the great cranes ; they flap their 

 large, pointed wings so leisurely; their long necks 

 stretch out in front, and their still longer legs behind, 

 in a manner almost laughable. Far prettier, however, 

 to watch are the flocks of the wild ducks; they fly 

 with extreme rapidity, and the beat of their wings, 

 in its force and regularity, reminds one almost of that 

 of the paddles of a steamer. It seems to require great 

 effort, and yet it can hardly do so, for these birds thus 

 travel through the air for immense distances, and that 



