Wanderings of a Naturalist 



wind had dropped, but the roaring of the surf on the beach 

 was borne across on the quiet morning air, and at times the 

 sad cry of a curlew came sharply out of the gloom. Soon 

 snow commenced to fall softly, but the shower passed as we 

 rowed out into the night. As we gained the opposite shore 

 the sky was lightening eastwards, and we made our way at 

 once to a certain part of the sand dunes which the widgeon 

 are in the habit of crossing with each dawn as they make their 

 way from their feeding grounds to the open sea. Once the 

 quiet was broken by the musical twittering note of a bar- 

 tailed godwit, as this curlew-like bird passed unseen over our 

 heads; but for some time we waited before hearing the 

 curious, whistling cries which heralded the approach of the 

 widgeon hosts. 



For the writer, this early-morning scene had an especial 

 charm. The strong smell of salt permeating the atmosphere, 

 the sky brightening imperceptibly and showing in places grey 

 snow clouds far out to sea, the intense calm and stillness over 

 all, these were things which appealed strongly to one who 

 loves the ever-changing moods of Nature. 



There were many birds in that first flock of widgeon which 

 passed rapidly overhead certainly hundreds and perhaps 

 over a thousand made up the first company. Flying out of 

 gunshot, and at the speed of an express train, the birds were 

 visible in the dim twilight for a few r seconds only ; but almost 

 immediately, with sharp, excited calls, pitched in varying 

 keys, a second flight passed over us, flying this time in one 

 long single line. The soft murmur of many wings proclaimed 

 the approach of a third flock of great size, though in this 

 instance the birds themselves were for the most part silent. 



And so company after company of widgeon passed over- 

 head, until the daylight had strengthened and the snow- 

 covered lands to the westward, with Cheviot in the far back- 

 ground, showed themselves to our view. The tide ebbed 

 rapidly, and the shore was thronged with waders of various 

 species. Redshank moved restlessly from point to point, 



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