BIRD-LIFE BY RIVER AND STREAM. $1 







tame indeed, from a wild-fowler's point of 

 view, in comparison with the famous haunts of 

 fowl on the eastern coasts, where the experience 

 of years is still retained as a pleasing memory. 

 Our old friend the Sheldrake is a rare fowl indeed, 

 notwithstanding the many suitable warrens and 

 sand dunes, especially in the Exe district, where 

 we might expect to find it common. Sheldrakes 

 have from time to time been obtained on Dawlish 

 warren in this area, and sometimes occur there 

 during winter in exceptional numbers. It is said 

 that the species breeds in this locality, and is 

 on the increase a very gratifying circumstance, 

 for this Duck is quite the most handsome and 

 striking in appearance of all the British species 

 of the family. The Wild Duck is the commonest 

 bird upon our Devonshire rivers, breeding on their 

 banks in the higher reaches and often coming to- 

 wards the coast districts during autumn and winter; 

 the Teal is also a fairly common and well-known 

 bird, especially during the wild -fowling season, 

 about the lower waters and estuaries of the South 

 Devon rivers. Few Teals nest in the county, but 

 during the non -breeding season this pretty little 

 Duck is a frequenter of the rivers and streams 



