ANSERES. ( 118 ) ANATIDyE. 



THE TUFTED DUCK. 



BLACK DUCK, BLACK WIGEON, DOUCKEE. 



Fuligula cristata. 



the feather' d tribes in close array 



O'er the wide fields of ocean wing their way 

 When from the rage of winter they repair 

 To warmer suns and more indulgent air. 



Pitt. 



This duck is occasionally seen off the coast, and on some 

 of the inland waters of the county, during autumn, winter, 

 and spring. It has been observed on the Tweed at Paxton, 

 a male in full plumage having been shot there during the 

 snow-storm of 1870-71. 



Mr. John Aitchison, plasterer, Duns, informs me that 

 a male was killed at Marchmont in the autumn of 1886. 

 Mr. William Smith, gamekeeper. Duns Castle, informs me 

 that he saw two on the lake there on the 3rd of November 

 1887, and four on the 10th of January 1890. Although 

 the Tufted Duck is generally a winter visitor from northern 

 regions and returns there in spring to breed, yet numbers 

 remain and breed in various counties of England, including 

 Northumberland. It has likewise been observed nesting in 

 Perthshire,^ and at Yetholm Loch in Eoxburghshire.^ It 

 is a late breeder, incubation not taking place until May or 

 the beginning of Jnne. 



It is an expert diver, and feeds on various aquatic 

 plants and insects, but is not considered a good bird for 

 the table. 



1 Yarrell's British Birds, fourth edition, vol. iv. p. 431. 

 - Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, voL viii. p. 521. 



