218 THE BIEDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



common species, found on all our streams, and is par- 

 ticularly abundant on all the large sheets of water. I 

 think I have mentioned that one side of the lake at 

 Thoresby is skirted for more than half its length by a 

 broad belt of plantation, which, being securely fenced 

 in, preserves that margin of the water in strict seclusion, 

 and this is constantly thronged by an immense number 

 of wild ducks. Many an hour's enjoyment I have had, 

 while, hid from their observation, I have watched their 

 various gambols. Aided by my glass, I could note 

 every movement unsuspected. Some would be busy 

 snapping rapidly at the water spiders and other insects, 

 or, with tail poised in air, would endeavour to reach the 

 water- weed below ; others, with head laid back, or with 

 bill buried in their plumage, floated lazily along, enjoy- 

 ing the ctolce far niente. Presently, an arrival of three 

 or four from a distant flight would put the whole flock 

 in commotion, while with loud quacks they appeared to 

 be questioning the new comers, who perchance had 

 brought intelligence of some fresh feeding ground ; 

 while another detachment would quietly take their de- 

 parture. Now and then they would make up their 

 minds to a boisterous game of play, chasing one another 

 with great vigour, and diving incessantly. But idle or 

 busy, they were ever on the alert, and at the slightest 

 symptom of danger the whole flock would sail towards 

 the centre of the lake ; or if the danger appeared more 

 imminent, they at once with loud cries of alarm took 

 their flight to a safer spot. 



In severe winters, when the lakes are frozen, the large 

 flocks of wild ducks, which had made them their homes 

 during the rest of the year, disperse themselves in all 

 directions, taking up their quarters on the running 



