AMONG THE BIRDS IN WINTER. 295 



water, these fowl congregate in enormous multi- 

 tudes. When they first arrive they are ex- 

 ceedingly tame and confiding, but incessant 

 persecution soon teaches them wariness, and 

 even in the severest weather they are careful 

 not to allow too close a scrutiny. It should here 

 be remarked that our well-known Mallard, as 

 well as most other Ducks, pair during the winter. 

 This is the season when these birds are in the 

 gayest and most brilliant plumage a time, by 

 the way, when all male birds pay court to the 

 opposite sex. Did they delay this matter until 

 just previous to the breeding season, the wedding 

 finery of all the northern species would have lost 

 the greater part of its lustre. These Arctic Ducks 

 do not breed until June, when the short northern 

 summer is just about commencing. 



It might be thought that bird life in winter 

 displayed too little variety to tempt the observer 

 out of doors ; but no greater mistake could be 

 made. There is a novelty about the habits of 

 birds at this season which will not fail to impress 

 the beholder with its charm, and to fill his walks 

 abroad, during the months of frost and snow, with 

 feelings of deepest interest. 



