312 R. and N. Stevens—A Sanctuary for British and Foreign Waterfowl


separate ways. Bad tempers seem to be engendered only by conscious

confinement. Except for the tree-nesters, practically all the Duck

nested in long grass, avoiding heavy cover, as was expected.


The next thing we looked forward to w~as the moult, when many of

the fowl lost the stumps of their cut flight-feathers and grew whole

flights in their place. By the middle of August many Ducks were flying,

and the excitement reached its climax when a dozen Grey-lag Geese

spread their wings in the recovery of their full powers. Now we have

great flocks of waterfowl which can fly. There is nothing to prevent

their clearing off altogether, of course, so it is very gratifying to find

them sufficiently fond of the place to make it their home.


One of the greatest pleasures is to see a bunch of foreign Duck flying

high over the house, and calling in voices which would be unfamiliar

to a home naturalist. Thus when half a dozen Buddy Shelduck, by

their audible muttering, compel us to look skywards, or Chiloe Wigeon

call excitedly as they rush headlong for the lake, one experiences that

same delightful thrill which is ordinarily reserved for those rare occasions

when sighting vagrants to these shores.


Probably the best time to see the fowl in flight is at the evening

feed. Then they gather in from all parts of the lake and nearby ponds

and streams, of which, happily, this estate has more than the usual

share. There are times when the sky seems to be full of Duck, flocks

crossing and re-crossing, and then again one hears the sigh of falling

birds and the swish of extended feet braking on water.


Now that the Mandarins and Carolinas can fly we get more accurate

glimpses into their private lives, such as they would be living in their

native homes of China and North America. It is a very pretty sight to

see them just now, perching freely in the oak-trees, feeding on acorns.

A Mandarin drake on a twisted branch within a frame of dried autumn-

tinted leaves is a lovely picture, and a powerful reminder of expensive

fire-screens.


Another very enjoyable aspect of a bird sanctuary is that it is not

only a great attraction to birds, wild and tame, but a great draw, a

meeting-place, for people with kindred interests. A few weeks ago

we had the great pleasure of seeing M. Delacour’s world-famous

collection of waterfowl in France. We were frankly envious of many



