42 NATURAL HISTORY 



which we did not take into the reckon- 

 ing. 



On the face of this expanse of waters, 

 and perfectly secure from fowlers, lie all 

 day long, in the winter season, vast flocks 

 of ducks, teals, and widgeons, of various 

 denominations ; where they preen and 

 solace and rest themselves, till towards 

 sun-set, when they issue forth in little 

 parties (for in their natural state they 

 are all birds of the night) to feed in the 

 brooks and meadows : returning again 

 with the dawn of the morning. Had 

 this lake an arm or two more, and were 

 it planted round with thick covert (for 

 now it is perfectly naked), it might make 

 a valuable decoy. 



Yet neither its extent, nor the clear- 

 ness of its water, nor the resort of various 

 and curious fowls, nor its picturesque 

 groups of cattle, can render this meer so 

 remarkable as the great quantity of 

 coins that were found in its bed about 

 forty years ago. 



