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CHAPTER VII. 



WATER BIRDS. 



AT first thought it might perhaps be concluded that 

 in a strictly inland district, comparatively few 

 species of birds of purely aquatic habits would be found. 

 In this locality, however, there are features which tend 

 materially to modify this conclusion. The numerous 

 parks which have given the forest district the title of the 

 " dukeries," are most of them graced by artificial lakes 

 of greater or less extent. That at Thoresby covers about 

 ninety-five acres, and those at Clumber and Welbeck are 

 not much smaller ; while Rufford and some others are 

 more contracted. These lakes, with the streams supply- 

 ing and flowing from them, lie in the greatest seclusion, 

 and form secure and quiet sanctuaries, which offer such 

 attractions that, in addition to their ordinary residents, 

 few winters pass without the presence of some of the 

 rarer species of water-fowl. The river Trent also forms 

 a sort of highway from the sea, by which many littoral 

 and pelagic species find their way into the district ; and 

 it is chiefly thus that we can account for the occurrence 

 of the solan goose, the little auk, the terns, and other 

 true sea-birds amongst those which visit us occasionally ; 

 and the goosander, the smew, and some of the gulls as 

 constant winter residents. 



