466 '^HE LONG-TAILED DUCK. 



ara Falls particularly soft and beautiful. Above the monot- 

 onous roar of the cataract, and loud and clear in every di- 

 rection, could be heard the peculiar notes of the Old Wives; 

 and as they were very numerous, the rather musical clamor 

 was quite impressive. Now a flock would appear at one 

 point, whitening the river and making the air resonant for 

 many rods around them; and then, as they disappeared be- 

 neath the smooth, silvery current, another flock, emerging 

 in the vicinity, would attract equal attention. At any time 

 many flocks might be within range of the eye. Nothing in 

 the way of sound could be more strongly characterized than 

 the vocal performance of this bird. To my ear it does not 

 recall the common name " South-southerly," given it on 

 the Atlantic Coast, but is well expressed by an epithet given 

 it by the Germans about Niagara River, who call it the 

 " Ow-owly." Ow-ow-ly, ow-ow-ly, ow-ow-ly, frequently re- 

 peated in successsion, the first two notes considerably 

 mouthed, and the last syllable in a high, shrill, clarion tone, 

 may suggest the queer notes to any one whose ear is fa- 

 miliar with them. Not infrequently the last syllable is left 

 out of the ditty, the bird seeming somewhat in a hurry, or 

 the note becomes a mere nasal ^/^, ah, ah, rapidly uttered. 

 The great enlargement in the wind-pipe of the male has 

 been supposed to account for these loud tones; but the 

 female, which is regarded as much the noisier, is without 

 that peculiarity. Always accounted a sea Duck, and not re- 

 ported by Coues from the northwest, it would appear rather 

 strange that it should be so common on the Great Lakes, 

 unless we regard this region as the winter habitat of those 

 spending the summer about Hudson's Bay. It will not al- 

 ways decoy for the sportsman, but with a little caution he 

 may row or drift upon it near enough for a shot, and as it 

 flies but a short distance when alarmed, and then drops 



