14 The Natural History of British Ducks 
The disposition of the Mallard is equable. He is neither particularly 
quarrelsome, restless, nor sedate, and though on the whole he probably spends 
more time on the wing than any other surface-feeding duck, yet, in the spring, 
he does not fly about nearly so much as the Shoveler, who, in windy weather 
and during the day, is almost constantly in the air. His flight, though heavy, 
is rapid and well maintained, and except during bad weather and the usual 
flighting hours when darkness necessitates a closer inspection of the land, 
is on a fairly high plane. In unusually clear weather he will sometimes drop 
almost perpendicularly from on high straight on to his feeding-ground. 
Though both in range and quickness the eyesight of all ducks and geese is 
far superior to that of man, and is indeed most remarkable, yet I doubt if 
Mallard have such very extraordinary power as Wigeon or Brent geese. They 
certainly do not seem capable of ' picking you up ' at such a long range as 
the latter, though, on the other hand, it is possible that they intentionally 
refrain from noticing you. Watch wild ducks in confinement, how they notice 
every large bird that passes over. Nothing soars through the heavens even at 
the extreme range of a telescope without attracting their attention ; yet with all 
their shrewdness they often mistake a harmless bird for an enemy. A duck 
may be seen glancing upwards ; then, turning her head on one side to get a 
better view, she will often call the attention of the others to what she has 
discovered, especially if she imagines it to be a raptorial bird of some sort. 
Many a time when in London have I noticed this, and taking the hint myself, 
have seen herons and large gulls passing over which would otherwise have 
escaped my attention. At other times large birds have passed at such a 
height that, even with a powerful telescope or glasses, I have been unable to 
find them, though convinced by the attitude and calls of the ducks that they 
were there. When ducks are about no gunner can hope to escape their notice 
unless he conceals himself under some form of covering, or lies perfectly still 
with his face turned to the ground. Even then they may probably see him, 
but, failing to take alarm, may pass by at close range. 
Mallard, being peculiarly liable to the attacks of falcons, are constantly 
