376 



WILD SPAIN. 



return, and probably a few White-fronted ducks (Erismatura 

 leucocephala) will also, by then, be found on the deeper 

 waters. Of the Eed-crested duck (F. rufina), which is 

 fairly common near Valencia, we have never seen a single 

 example in the Andalucian marismas ; nor were any 

 Gadwalls included in the bag this season, though in other 

 winters, not entirely dissimilar, we have secured several. 



The distribution of the Anatidse is, in fact, somewhat 

 puzzling. Some species are very regular ; others, without 

 apparent cause, are just the reverse. The movements of 

 Pintail, as just stated, are clearly regulated by the state of 

 water in the marshes. Those of Gadwall and Garganey, on 

 the other hand, bear no visible relation to these or other 

 external conditions, but neither of the two last-named are 

 ever abundant. The Garganey, a bird of infinite speed of 

 wing, the first to come in autumn, the last to depart in 

 spring, spends the mid- winter months in Africa ; though 

 one morning at dawn (January 31st) four drakes fell 

 to a double shot, and during February we secured many 

 more ; but this does not occur every year. The Marbled 

 duck (Q. marmorata), a first cousin of the teal, seldom 

 arrives in time to take part in the wildfowl- shooting ; 

 though we have notes of an occasional straggler being 

 recognized amidst the slain as early as February. 



Sheld-ducks of both kinds are found at all seasons in 

 the Guadalquivir district, where they remain to breed in 

 spring ; the common species in rabbit- or disused badger- 

 holes among the sandhills, the large Buddy Sheld-duck 

 in low cliffs or batrancos. A few of either species usually 

 fall to our guns while flight-shooting during the winter 

 months. 



Next to ducks, the most important wildfowl of the 

 marisma are the Grey Geese, which resort thither from 

 November till February. Their habit is to spend the night 

 on the open water and to fly up in successive parties about 

 daybreak to the grassy shores, where, if unmolested, they 

 spend the day feeding, preening, and washing in the shallow 

 water. In these situations, we frequently fell in with them 

 while fowling with the cabrcstos. " Anseres son ! " — geese 



