754 MR. W. G. CLARKE ON BIRD-LIFE OF THE MERES. 
mere towards me uttering their harsh notes. Immediately 
below the bluff when I first peered over, and only a few yards 
away, was a flock of fifteen Sheld-duck— a charming sight for 
a bird-lover — and I was able to examine every detail of their 
plumage. When I visited Langmere on April 21st, 1907, 
two Sheld-duck on the long pool appeared to have paired off 
with Gadwall, the couples swimming about together. While, 
however, I was watching a terrific fight ensued between one 
pair, the Sheld-duck being the aggressor. With desperate 
thrusts of its bill, it forced the Gadwall under water for a 
couple of minutes. When it reappeared some distance away, 
only its beak showed above water, and it paddled slowly to 
land lying down apparently exhausted on the shore. At 
length the Sheld-duck saw it and flew across the water, making 
a vicious slash at it. Then I came into the open to rescue the 
Gadwall, but to my surprise it got up and flew away. It had 
a clear start as it made for Ringmere, but the Sheld-duck went 
after it and by its stronger flight overtook the Gadwall and 
tried to attack it on the wing. It swerved, however, and 
went down to the mere closely pursued by its relentless 
antagonist. On March 22nd, 1908, with the wind blowing- 
half a gale from the south-east there were fairly large waves 
on Fowlmere, and the large quantity of wildfowl included two 
pairs of Sheld-duck whose white neck-rings were easily 
distinguishable without glasses from one end of the mere to 
the other. 
The foregoing are the species I have noted which rightfully 
belong to the meres, but these pools in the midst of arid 
heathland are frequented by many other species which come 
thither to wash or drink, notably the Stone Curlew and Ringed 
Plover. 
