376 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



The following quotation from Mr Graham's correspondence 

 relates to the habits of this duck on the western shores of 

 Argyleshire: " The Wigeon is more numerous than the mallard 

 in winter, but more local, congregating in large flocks in every 

 suitable bay. Loch Gilp, and other inlets of Loch Fyne, Loch 

 Tarbert, Jura, Loch Sweyn, Feochain, Caolisport, and many other 

 lochs on the mainland and islands of Argyle, are famed for the 

 quantities of Wigeon frequenting them, in spite of the constantly 

 increasing number of guns which are brought to bear upon them. 

 The birds are shy when they expect to be molested; but the same 

 birds, in another place where they consider themselves safe from 

 molestation, are quite free of shyness. I have often proved this 

 by putting up a flock in Loch Gilp, which would rise wildly at the 

 punt's approach two hundred yards off, then following them to the 

 retired inlets at the junction of Loch Fyne and Loch Gilp would 

 find them sitting till within forty or fifty yards of them. In 

 certain bays they cannot be approached, while in others they let 

 themselves be easily stalked. The wounded birds are troublesome 

 to capture. I have seen them holding on to the weed at the 

 bottom in shallow water, and have had to dislodge them with the 

 boat-hook, or reach them with my arm, if not too deep. In March, 

 when they break up into pairs, but have not yet finally quitted 

 our shores, I have sometimes, while coasting, come upon a pair in 

 full breeding plumage, enjoying their honeymoon, in some out 

 of the way little creek. The duck, trusting to the unobtrusive 

 nature of her plumage, will remain floating among the long fronds 

 of brown sea weed, but the drake, who shines like a star, gets 

 fidgetty and flies about, calling in vain to his capricious mate, 

 who will not take the hint to follow, and at last forces him to 

 pitch on the water a little way off. The duck at last rises when 

 the boat is within thirty yards, flies a short distance, and alights 

 again, where she is immediately joined by her faithful spouse. 

 The same performance may be gone through again and again, till 

 very often, if you are in want of a full-plumaged male, he falls a 

 victim to the caprice of his partner and his own gallantry." 



The Wigeon is also a very common duck on the eastern shores 

 of Scotland, especially in those estuaries where it can get good 

 grazing and other feeding when the tide is out. In the winter of 

 1864, I spent some hours daily for about a week near the mouth 

 of the Tyne in East Lothian, in company with my friend, Mr 



