0 
The Mallard 5 
One of the most interesting places in which to watch the Mallard in 
spring, or in fact to study the ways of water-fowl in general, is the upper 
lake in front of Woburn Abbey, the Duke of Bedford's beautiful home in 
Bedfordshire. Natural history is the favourite hobby of the Duke and 
Duchess, and here in the lakes in front of the house are gathered together 
the most complete collection of pinioned water-fowl in the world. Every 
species of known swan is there as well as specimens of most of the geese and 
a large assortment of the most interesting of the surface-feeding and diving 
ducks, whilst amongst these gather numbers of perfectly wild Mallard and a 
few pairs of Shovelers. 
On a spring morning it is most delightful to sit and watch with a glass all 
the strange manoeuvres and modes of courtship of the different species, for the 
whole place is full of life and movement. As the wild Mallard are never shot 
in the park, they keep passing about and around the observer, sometimes in a 
constant procession, and so close at hand that while sitting quietly under the 
shadow of some sheltering bush one can fancy oneself a sort of primeval 
Adam suddenly placed in a paradise of wild creatures that know no fear. 
The variety of sights and sounds, appealing alike to eye and ear, is simply 
amazing — one of the finest examples of that ' harmony not understood ' of 
which the whole world is full ; but here the naturalist is most at home. He 
sees and hears and enjoys them all. Here are the Canadians, grandest of 
geese, 'honking' away to one another; and, mingled with their cries, one hears 
the low bass of the Greylags and the tenor of the Pinkfoots. From over there 
comes a shrill trilling whistle, a sound which a few splashes of brilliant black, 
white, and red indicate that a cock Sheldrake is throwing himself up and jerking 
his head in the air for the admiration of his wife. Elsewhere are the circling 
Shovelers, and five or six clamorous cock Wigeon, all vying with each other to 
attract the attention of one harassed-looking female who hardly knows which 
to choose amongst so many ardent admirers. In another place the eye rests 
on groups of male Pintail and Teal, all engaged in their particular form of 
courtship, uttering the while their musical double note. Ruddy Sheldrakes and 
