Pike and - Waterfowl At the bird sanctuary we were welcomed
by the man whose job it is to see that the waterfowl are allowed to nest and breed in peace. He was particularly glad to see us, because moorhen and duck have young and are at the mercy of the pike that inhabit the water. This is the breeding season for fish and fowl. When the pike has spawned, its appetite is sharpened, it seems, or perhaps it sees a succulent and easy prey in the young duck that paddle so prettily behind their mothers. We had promised to do what we could to bring a pike out of the water, close season or not. His charges would then have a better chance of survival. ' We saw one moorhen venturing across the lake with a train of twelve fluffy black chicks behind, and they crossed the wide expanse of water without m:shap. Before the after- noon was over we had achieved what we had promised, and landed with three fierce-looking p:ke that would eat no more young b:rds. If you ever have seen a pike going for his prey in shallow water, you know how aptly he is called the freshwater shark. He shows no mercy, shooting through the water like a green torpedo, and when his mouth opens he is capable of gorging a creature of almost his own dimens:ons.
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