WATER BIRDS. 225 



The numbers that frequent Thoresby Lake vary con- 

 siderably : in some years there have not been more than 

 fifteen or twenty ; in others as many as thirty, or even 

 forty, as in 1855. Welbeck Lake is generally visited by 

 a small party, and sometimes Rufford also, and a few 

 are annually seen on the Trent. 



There is always a large proportion of males in adult 

 plumage in every flock, and it is a very pretty sight to 

 see them chasing each other, diving in apparent play- 

 fulness and emerging immediately ; when they are 

 feeding they remain much longer under water, and 

 often traverse a space of seventy or eighty yards before 

 coming to the surface. I have had many opportunities 

 of observing their habits from the thick plantation on 

 the border of the lake already mentioned, where I could 

 conceal myself close to the water without being per- 

 ceived, and many an hour have I passed there in watch- 

 ing their varied motions. They swim with their bodies 

 low in the water, but yet with great activity and com- 

 mand, and I have seen them submerge themselves until 

 their backs were almost covered ; this is particularly the 

 case with the female when making amorous advances to 

 the male, her head and neck at the same time being 

 outstretched and laid flat on the surface, until at a little 

 distance she is almost invisible. Unaware of my vicinity, 

 they often approached very near me, letting me inspect 

 them closely. As the season drew on, the males gave 

 some indications of choosing their partners ; two or three 

 would select the same female, and pursue her most un- 

 ceremoniously for some time, she all the while diving 

 incessantly to elude the pursuit of her obnoxious suitors, 

 or to aid that of the favoured one, reminding me often 

 of the racing courtships of the Tartar maidens and their 



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