SEA-DUCKS 375 



and harmonious plumage, is a strikingly handsome 

 object. The exquisite tints which, in life, so delight the 

 eye, fade rapidly away after death. This applies equally 

 to the salmon-hucd breast of the merganser and to the 

 pale sea-greens, lemon-yellows, and vinaceous tones that 

 decorate the eider-drake. None but those who have 

 handled newly-killed specimens of these, and other wild- 

 fowl, can form an adequate idea of their lovely colour-plan 

 in life. Museum examples represent the originals only as 

 black-and-white may portray a rainbow. 



From the nature of their haunts it is impossible to 

 get at any of these sea-ducks in a gunning-punt — those 

 craft being only available in smooth or land-locked waters. 

 Outside harbour, however, some most enjoyable days 

 may be spent, in a well-frequented locality, cruising under 

 sail among the fowl. If the day be fine, with a good, 

 steady land-breeze, a few fair shots may now and then 

 be got at sea-ducks with a shoulder-gun ; but any one 

 who has tried, knows how rarely ducks of any kind will 

 allow T approach in a sailing-boat at sea. Still there is, 

 quite independently of killing or sport, a charm in shoot- 

 ing under sail : for not only is there an opportunity of 

 observing many wild and interesting fowl, but the 

 sensation of spinning along in a fast-sailing coble, as she 

 walks through the seas with a wale of hissing waters 

 rising in menacing slope above her lee gunwale, is in 

 itself exhilarating. Presently the look-out descries fowl. 

 "Luff!" he whispers, " Covies (i.e., scaup) bearing the 

 South Beacon ! " and in a moment the boat is beating to 

 windward. "Keep your luff!" — why, we can hardly 

 keep our seats as the craft thrashes through the seas, 

 close-hauled to windward and flying scud, to say nothing 

 of bucketfuls of green water drive athwart her. Nothing 



