121 



NOTES FROM THE ROCKS. 



ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF DUNBAR SHORE. 



BY ROBERT GRAY, EHQ. 

 (^Continued from page 108.) ■ 



NORTHERN HARELD. 



There is every variety of plumage in the birds of the Fuligula family; — the 

 deep velvet black of the Scoters, relieved in one of the species by a pure white 

 bar in the wing; the showy dress of the Eider, young individuals of which 

 exhibit a piebald coat; the rich glossy green and other contrasting colours 

 of the beautiful Grolden Eye; the purple and black crest of the Tufted 

 Scaup, [Fidigula cristata;) and the pheasant-like tail of the Northern 

 Hareld, {Harelda glacialis,) are well-known examples. 



Two species, which may be considered the types of the Fuligulinae, are 

 very common, — the Broad-billed Scaup, {F. marila,) and the Red-headed 

 Pochard, (F. ferina;) of the latter great numbers frequent the estuary of 

 the River Tyne, where, in moonlight evenings, we have seen it shot by our 

 friend, Mr. J. Nelson, of Kirklandhill. According to the observations of that 

 gentleman, it and the ^'^^idgeon, (Mareca penelope,) are the two commonest 

 Ducks in the bay throughout winter. However expert it may be at diving, 

 it certainly, like its congeners, gives a preference to shallow running streams at 

 nightfall; and, during the entire day, it is never absent from the bay, though 

 always a long way out. Both of these birds, {ferina and marila^ associate freely 

 with the other Anatinas night and day; but others, as the Long-tailed Duck, 

 (Zf. glacialis,) fish exclusively by themselves. The last-named species is a very 

 interesthig bird, which visits the shores of East Lothian in winter. In the 

 northern regions it assembles in large flocks previous to migrating; and '^in 



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