WIGEON 113 



water and he is up again, but without his prey, and the 

 Ducks and other birds closely pack, keeping to the water, 

 their only sanctuary. A very Babel of sound now fills the 

 air, as the flocks, by their angry threats, endeavour to drive 

 off the enemy. There is much confusion in the ranks ; 

 some, more frightened than the rest, immediately dive, but 

 none attempt to fly as long as the Peregrine lurks overhead. 

 Now, however, the attention of the Falcon is attracted by a 

 flock of Plover, crossing the estuary. In a moment he is 

 among them, and, singling out his victim, enters on his 

 deadly chase. Out over the sea the two birds fly until 

 finally they disappear from view. 



. Wigeon do not invariably remain on the water when 

 disturbed by the first sight of the Falcon in the distance. 

 I have seen thousands of them rise and join with immense 

 companies of 'waders,' the great dark cloud of birds utterly 

 deserting the estuaries and sand-flats for miles around. 



Wigeon are very sociable ; an entire flock will rest, fly, 

 and feed together. Unlike the Mallard and many other 

 species of Ducks, they usually rise in silence, and do not 

 whistle until they are well on the wing. " On inland 

 waters they may often be seen in company with Coots, 

 and will watch the latter diving for and bringing up 

 pond-weed, when they rush in and seize it" (Ussher). 



Food. In their movements Wigeon are most regular. 

 By day they rest on the water, especially during high tide, 

 and after dusk 1 visit the Zost era-covered sand-flats, to feed, 

 varying their hours according to the tide. They assemble 

 at their feeding-grounds as the ooze becomes bare. They 

 are then usually silent, save a soft purr of satisfaction which 

 is uttered by the females when undisturbed. 



As an article of food, the Wigeon is much sought after, 

 and is sorely persecuted by the 'punt gunner.' Although 

 vast quantities are destroyed for the markets, it is pleasant 

 to think that this pretty Duck is not sensibly diminishing 

 in numbers. It is practically marine in its habits, yet its 

 flesh is palatable. This is so because the bird is not, 

 as a rule, a lover of shell-fish, feeding almost entirely on 

 vegetable matter. I have occasionally tasted very ' fishy ' 

 Wigeon, old birds shot on the coast, and have found shell- 

 fish and marine- worms in the gizzards of a few. 



1 In localities where Wigeon are not harassed by gunners they will 

 feed also during the day. 



8 



