602 GAVTA RTDTEUNDA. 



those of its own species, and is not molested by its stronger 

 neighbours. On the water it sits very lightly, with the tail 

 and tips of the wings considerably elevated, turns with great 

 case, and swims prettily, but with no great speed. 



In spring, from tlie middle to the end of March, these 

 birds betake themselves to particular marshes or lakes in the 

 interior, whether near the coast or at a great distance from 

 it. On the tufts or along the shores they form their nests, 

 which are composed of withered sedges, rushes, and other 

 plants, laying generally three, sometimes two, very rarely 

 four eggs, of an olivaceous, oil-green, or light brown colour, 

 spotted and blotched with brownish-black and purplish- 

 grey. They are of a rather elongated oval form, somewhat 

 pointed, and vary greatly in size, the largest measuring two 

 inches and four-twelfths by an inch and five-twelfths, the 

 smallest (in my collection at least) an inch and eleven-and- 

 a-half-twelfths, by an inch and three-and-a-half-twelfths. 

 The young, which are hatched in the beginning of June, arc 

 covered with rather long very soft down, of a pale brown 

 colour above, spotted Avith black, lighter beneath, Avith a 

 large dusky spot on the throat, and several small spots on 

 the sides ; under each eye a Avhitish patch, and the ends of 

 the Avings pale broAvnish-grey ; the bill greenish-broAvn ; the 

 feet olivaceous. The eggs, Avhich afford delicate eating, are 

 collected for sale, and the young, Avhich are equally so, Avere 

 formerly held in estimation, although not noAv brought to the 

 market. Even the old birds, at any season, arc by no means 

 disagi-eeable to the palate. 



During the breeding season, these birds feed on Avorms, 

 larvce, and insects, as Avell as frcsh-Avater fishes. "When the 

 young are able to fly, they and their parents betake them- 

 selves to the sea-coasts, and resume their ordinary habits. 

 By the middle of August, sometimes by the end of July, they 

 have all left their breeding-places. 



Young. — When fledged, the young haA-e the bill greenish 

 flesh-coloured or pale broAvn, at the end blackish-broAvn ; the 

 feet pale broAvn tinged Avith flesh-colour, the hind part of the 

 tarsus darker, the claws dark brown. The upper part of the 



