42 The Natural History of British Ducks 
in Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Wexford, where undisturbed they resort in 
numbers, also to the bays of Dublin, Dundalk, and the Loughs of Larne, 
Belfast, Strangford, Foyle, and Swilly. The birds prefer these large open 
sheets of water by day, as they are free from molestation ; but they also fre- 
quent many small inland lakes where they are protected. The greatest n umber 
of Wigeon frequent the north and north-west coasts of Ireland ; but in places 
like Belfast Lough, Mr. Ussher considers they have diminished in numbers 
owing to the increase in the number of gunners. The periodical movements 
of this species in Ireland take place at the same time as in Scotland, but 
fewer pairs breed in that country, according to Sir R. Payne-Gallwey. Lough 
Allen, CO. Leitrim, the Granston Marshes, and the Shannon and Connaught 
lakes are mentioned by Ussher as breeding places. 
Wigeon are more or less marine in their habits, and after arriving on our 
coasts, in September, they increase in numbers until December, when great 
packs are sometimes formed in estuaries suited to their tastes. They are the 
mainstay of the professional punt gunner, being numerous and always a 
marketable commodity, and it is interesting to note the appreciable change in 
the habits of the birds due to this enemy. By nature the Wigeon is not 
necessarily a purely nocturnal feeder. In his summer home, where he is 
subject to little molestation, he feeds regularly in the early morning and late 
evening, resting only during the warm hours in the middle of the day. Now 
notice what happens when he arrives on the British coasts. At first the small 
packs continue to feed in daylight, as during summer, but a couple of raking 
shots in their midst, carrying death and destruction, tell them that this is too 
dangerous, so they become purely nocturnal feeders for the remainder of the 
season, and rest or fly about by day well out in the firths or open sea, accord- 
ing to the proportion of harassment. Where Wigeon have been kept con- 
tinually on the move, that is, after a series of gales sweeping over their resting- 
grounds, as well as when several shots have been fired at them on the mud 
flats, they sometimes assemble in immense flocks, either on the principle of 
mutual protection or that ' misery loves company.' I have on more than one 
