in the late Count NinnVs Collection. 71 



them on account of the rough weather. These are the only- 

 authentic captures of this Duck that I know of in the Venetian 

 region. The Common Scoter is one of the rarest Italian 

 species ; in the province of Cremona it has perhaps occurred 

 more frequently, and within the last few days Mr. Ferragne 

 has informed me that, where the river Adda flows into the 

 POj he met with two specimens — a male and a female — on 

 the 9th of April, which he was unable to get at, but which 

 were subsequently killed by a punt-gunner, who brought 

 them to him to be stufPed. These two specimens are now 

 in my collection. 



10. Harelua glacialis. (Venetian name " Orcheto 

 marin," '' Anara da la coa long a. ''''). 



This species in young plumage is not very rare in the 

 Venetian estuary, but adults, especially males * in full 

 winter-plumage and in spring nuptial dress, are seldom seen, 

 though they occur at times. The species is more often met 

 with in the very cold weather, when it frequents the sea and 

 open lagoons rather than the " valli." I have in my collection 

 fourteen specimens taken on our coasts between October and 

 January, among which are two magnificent males in full 

 plumage. It has more commonly been killed in October 

 than during migration in the spring. In 1887 there was an 

 extraordinary flight of this species in the Venetian estuary 

 during the months of October and November, more than 

 one hundred specimens being captured ; but after that 

 period few were observed. I have occasionally seen some 

 Long-tailed Ducks on our lagoons. They are not very shy 

 and are easily approached. They often dive and reappear on 

 the surface of the water at no great distance ; if closely 

 pursued they take to flight, but soon rest again on the water. 

 They can remain under water for a long time, much longer 

 than the Goldeneye, and almost as long as the Grebes and 

 Divers. Their flight is very rapid and sinuous, and they 



* The last adult male of which I know was killed on the lagoou on 

 the 13th December last and taken to Count Eniile Ninni, the son of 

 Count Alexander. The former stuffed the bird himself, and it is now in 

 his collection at Venice. 



