INTRODUCTION xiii. 



with my eyelids apparently closed, yet sufficiently open to 

 allow of vision, I have allured Great Black-backed Gulls 

 to approach on the wing within a ridiculously close range, 

 and the late Mr. E. Williams informed me that by adopting 

 this form of strategy he frequently brought Kavens and 

 Hooded Crows within thirty yards of his head. 



Many species of Ducks and Geese are harassed to such 

 an extent by the ' stanchion shooter,' that they learn to 

 regard the presence of man with marked suspicion. In 

 districts where they are persistently hunted it is most 

 difficult to scull a boat within good observing-range. Here 

 a powerful field-glass is particularly useful. But even the 

 much hunted Brent Goose and Wigeon, which, throughout 

 the shooting-season, are extremely vigilant and gun-shy, 

 lose a remarkable amount of their suspiciousness when they 

 are left in peace during the commencement of the close 

 season in March and April, the last months of their stay in 

 our latitudes. Nor can one fail to notice how tame these 

 and other species of wildfowl become when pinioned on 

 ornamental waters ; how they will even approach the brink 

 to take the proffered cake from the hand of a passing 

 stranger. 



Gulls, as a rule, are easily observed ; being naturally 

 greedy they can be attracted to close quarters by casting 

 food on the surface of the water. I have made several 

 interesting observations from city-quays, and from boats, 

 especially from the decks of channel-steamers, in the wake 

 of which these birds will often wander for miles. 



The ambush afforded by sand-dunes, especially when 

 overgrown with thick and tall rushes, gives one an excellent 

 opportunity of closely inspecting wading-birds as they run 

 hither and thither on the beach (Plate III.). 



Kegarding the question of collecting specimens, unneces- Collecting 

 sary destruction of bird-life must be protested against. Far s P eci - 

 more is to be learned by patient and persevering observation, mens ' 



