526 



MV GARDEN. 



more of a whistle, — especially in the breeding season, and is not unlike 

 the whistle of the widgeon. The young call-ducks which were reared 

 last year, were taught by the gardener to dive for their food. It is very 



amusing to throw some bar- 

 ley into the lake and watch 

 them dive, and feed under 

 the water. The parent birds, 

 however, have never been 

 noticed to dive : I am un- 

 certain whether this habit of 

 diving is natural, or has only 

 Fig. ii27.-widgeon. been acquired by training. 



During the winter season we have the Wild Duck {Anas Bosdias, 

 fig- 1 125), the Teal {Querquedula crecca, .fig. 1126), the Widgeon {Anas 

 Penelope, fig. 1127), and the Tufted Duck {Fuligula cristata, fig. 1128). 



In January 1871, our gardener shot on the mill-head a female 

 Smew [Mergus albellus, fig. 1 129). On the coast of Norfolk this bird is 



^.:y-^^-. 



^M/^ 



Fig. 1128.— Tufted Duck. 



Fig. 1129. — Smew or Smee Duck. 



called the Smee Duck, but how it obtained our name I know ndt. 

 It is a remarkable fact that almost all the specimens of this bird 

 which have been shot in this country have been female or immature 

 birds, and it is probable that the ^adult males seldom visit our shores. 

 The adult male is an elegant and handsome bird. Although in 

 winter its plumage consists of only black and white, it is nevertheless 



