LAKE, SWAMP, AND REED BED. IOI 



breed. I have seen several Tufted Ducks on the 

 ley as late as the igth of April (1892); and 

 I was assured by persons who were in every 

 way competent to know, that the bird not only 

 frequented the ley all the summer, but that it 

 nested there. The same remarks apply likewise 

 to the Teal. I have also seen the Wigeon on 

 this water equally late in the spring, and was 

 assured that odd birds occasionally remained 

 in its vicinity during the summer. Reports were 

 current in the neighbourhood that this Duck 

 has bred on the ley, but as I could ascertain 

 nothing sufficiently definite, I think the assertion 

 may safely be discredited. Very pretty do these 

 wild-fowl look floating on the comparatively bare 

 waters, and it is most interesting to watch the 

 movements of the several species. If discovered 

 inshore the birds soon swim out into the open 

 lake, and there one may see the Tufted Ducks 

 and Coots diving in quest of food ; while in the 

 shallower water the Wild Duck and the Wigeon 

 poke about with one half of the body under the 

 surface, the other half pointing upwards to the 

 sky, and feet all the time paddling quickly to 

 assist in maintaining the undignified position. 



