226 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



recorded on inland waters, are the scaup and the long- 

 tailed duck. The first, a young - drake shot in November 

 (1875); the longtail (a female) was killed by my brother 

 Alfred on Haydon-fell lough, 35 miles from the sea, on 

 October 30th (1889). 



The goosander is a rare autumn visitor ; seldom 

 appearing on the hill - lakes, preferring trout - streams, 

 more especially Tweed. An example of the value of 

 protective coloration occurred in connection with this 

 species. I had "glassed" a sheet of water of some 

 1 5 acres, taking, as usual, the utmost pains to search out 

 every corner, but without detecting anything on its 

 surface. Yet on my rising in sight, a goosander drake 

 splashed from the water within 200 yards. Hardly could 

 a wigeon or golden-eye have escaped detection ; yet this 

 large and apparently conspicuous bird completely baffled 

 search, so perfectly did his black and white plumage 

 assimilate with the rippling water on a bright November 

 day. 



This chapter may be concluded (leaving October but 

 half finished) with another example of protective colora- 

 tion. On October 5th (1887), we found on Darden-pike, 

 on the high black peat, a frog which was absolutely black 

 above, pure white below. Never did we see a frog up 

 there, before or since. 



