‘THE BIRDS OF DEVON,’ ot 
enough to see a pair of Wigeon rise from the reeds. The boatmen told 
us that a few pairs remain all the summer on the Ley, and they had no 
doubt about their breeding. Subsequent to our visit Mr. Toll was good 
enough to keep us informed about the Wigeon ; writing on May 17th, he 
says :— 
**In the evening of the 11th I saw 5 or 6 pairs of Wigeon fairly close 
together,—yesterday, 16th, I paid another visit to the Ley; saw Pochards 
and Tufted Ducks; also several pairs of Wigeon, and I consider I know 
within a few yards where a Wigeon’s nest is, near a patch of gorse; I 
found the male bird sitting twice on the bank by the gorse, a splendid 
bird, and he let me get within 15 yards.” 
On May 24th :—‘* No doubt you will be surprised to hear that the 
Wigeon are still on the Ley, and 1 have very little doubt that they are 
nesting here: when I wrote to you last I said I had seen 5 or 6 pairs 
and that I considered that I knew within a short distance of a nest, and 
I am still of that opinion, as on each occasion that I bave paid a visit to 
the Ley since, I have always found the male bird sitting near the gorse, 
which is very thick just now the bracken has grown up. I have looked 
for the nest, but have not been successful. Mr. Lucas has been at 
Stokeley, and he also thinks they are breeding there and does not want 
them disturbed. Last time I rode round the Ley, I saw two pairs of 
Pochards,—looked like three females and one male; pair of Tufted Ducks, 
but, as I said before, I think they are cripples ; two pairs of Wigeon, and 
two male Wigeon, one at each end of the Ley, sitting on the bank, both 
birds tame and in fine plumage. I am almost certain in my own mind 
that the females are on their nests,—at all events will report again at the 
end of another week. Teal are still here. The reeds at this end, in fact 
all over the Ley, have grown very much, and it is getting difficult to see 
the birds. Common Gull—several pairs still on the sands, but no signs 
of nesting that I can see. Just fired a rifle at this end to see if I could 
rise Wigeon. Counted 28 Mallards rise and a lot still left in the reeds.” 
On June lst :—“ I had a ride round the Ley this morning and took the 
glass with me. Lots of boats out fishing, and the reeds grown very much 
since last writing to you. I only noticed one pair of Pochards, near 
where you saw them, but near them were three male Wigeons, I presume 
the females are sitting.” 
On June 15th:—* I have paid a visit or two to the Ley since writing 
to you; last Thursday evening, 13th, I rode quietly round. I saw 
several male Wigeon, and I consider a brood of young ones, but I am not 
quite certain, as they may have been Ducks; it is very difficult to get 
near the young ones in the open water, as there are quite 40 or 50 broods 
of young Ducks of all sizes, besides any quantity of young Coots and 
Moorhens, and directly you get near them there is a general rush for the 
reeds, and all kinds get mixed up.” 
On July 20th :—* The last time I went round the Ley I consider I 
saw a brood of Wigeon but, as I had not the glass with me, I am not 
positive, as there were so many young Ducks and Coots and a general 
