92 WKD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



in August." There, for the present, the record must 

 remain. Verdict: "Not proven." 



It must ever be borne in mind, when endeavouring to 

 identify ducks afloat, that several of the diving- species 

 (such as tufts, pochards, scaup, and others) require two, 

 three, or even four years to attain complete maturity of 

 plumage ; and that these intermediate phases are also 

 present, on the water, along - with the breeding - adults. 

 This gradation in plumage may lead to their being - mis- 

 taken for different species. 



Tufted ducks have, within the last twenty years, 

 begun to nest at nearly every suitable loch, or large sheet 

 of water, on either side the Border. Besides the places 

 mentioned, they were breeding - at Hule moss and on 

 Duns Castle lake in Berwickshire, where in July we saw 

 young broods on the water ; while in Northumberland, 

 they may be seen all summer at Hallington and Colt- 

 crag, Capheaton, Hallypikes, and the other loughs in 

 that neighbourhood. 



Both pochards and tufted ducks begin laying about 

 May 15th, and young appear on the water, June 20th. 



Tufted and all diving-ducks necessarily nest close by the 

 water's edge, their pedestrian powers being so feeble ; yet 

 the nest is often situated at quite a considerable distance 

 from the main lough up some open ditch or marsh-drain, 

 that affords access by water. The nest is always deeply 

 hidden away, under long bog-grass and sedge, or a saugh- 

 bush ; and the eggs covered over with down. They 

 may perhaps be distinguished from those of pochard by a 

 faint greenish wash — those of the latter having more of 

 a buff tinge. I have not, however, found these myself. 



Wholly delightful, despite any slight disappointment 

 with the absent wigeon, were the days spent by these 



