SMEW. 83 



the side of the white breast. Pictures drawn from skins suggest 

 irregularity and interruption in these lines, but in the living 

 bird they are wonderfully regular. When, however, the drake 

 raises itself and flaps its wings the black on back and wings 

 shows plainly ; the effect is black and white instead of white 

 and black. The female is, at first sight, a little like the Long- 

 tailed Duck, but her head and neck are bright chestnut and 

 she has a decided crest. The back is grey, the under parts 

 white, greyer on the upper breast, and, except when hidden by 

 her low pose on the water, there is a noticeable double wing 

 bar. The points which attract the eye are the very white 

 cheeks and chin. 



On Cheshire meres I have seen a drake consorting with 

 Goosanders, and brown-headed birds swimming and diving with 

 Goldeneyes. When the former flew with its companions it 

 actually outstripped them, its wings moving with great rapidity. 

 When swimming, if unsuspicious, the Smew is buoyant and 

 carries the neck gracefully arched, but if alarmed, at once 

 straightens the neck and sinks the body ; it swims rapidly 

 away or rises, splashing with its feet for a few yards ; the flight 

 note and call of alarm have the family grating character. 

 Although the legs are set far back, the bird takes the water feet 

 first like other ducks. I have seen the Smew diving in very 

 shallow water, so superficially indeed that its back was often 

 exposed. Probably it was hunting for small crustaceans or 

 insects, for these as well as fish are eaten. 



The bill and feet in both sexes are slate or blue-grey, the 

 irides red in old birds, but browner in the young. The back 

 and wings are more or less mottled in immature birds, and the 

 dark mark round the eye less distinct. Length, 16-17 "5 ii^s. 

 Wing, 7-6 ins. Tarsus, i"25 ins. 



