DUCKS. 197 



prospect of these outer wildfowl grounds being depopulated 

 to any visible extent for a long time, the breeding grounds 

 in the far north are so immense, and the position of England 

 is so admirable for attracting migrants. No doubt the fowl 

 will become educated to a high pitch of suspicion as they 

 are more and more sought after, our gunmakers being called 

 upon to meet the emergency by still more powerful fowling 

 ordnance; but I do think our inland wildfowl resources 

 are neglected and jeopardized; with a little attention they 

 might produce far more profitably. It is too much to expect, 

 perhaps, that more decoy ponds shall be started for tempting 

 teal and ducks to breed with us ; but I think we might give 

 some of our shires a better repute with the wandering 

 feathered tribes by a little skilful management. 



The Wild Birds' Protection Act has certainly been a step 

 in the right direction, and has been of considerable benefit 

 to our birds already. The close of the shooting season, April 

 1st, is rather late, doubtless, for many species of ducks. 

 Partridges then take wing from the hedgerows and spinneys 

 silently in couples, and without all that bluster that has 

 marked their flight since the last broods were disposed of ; 

 while wild ducks are put up in pairs from the river edges, 

 and have for a fortnight or so, we suspect, been deliberating 

 on the momentous nesting question, " Where shall we go ? " 

 They ought to have been allowed to deliberate in perfect 

 peace. 



Good, too, has been done by the admirable enlightenment 

 of many noble and extensive landowners, who have listened 

 to the teachings of Waterton and given our wonderfully rich 

 bird fauna a home and sanction in their coverts and lakes. 



Others, again, who are not amongst the "acre-ocracy," 

 love and study the many forms of life along country sides 

 or sea shores with the amiable generosity and intelligence 

 of a Gilbert White. The century and its liberal teaching 

 has even produced a naturalist-gamekeeper or two, and I 

 have read with wonder and delight in country papers keen 



