124 ANATIDA 
then crouching low, or better still, lying flat on one’s chest, 
several groups of these birds may be observed scattered on 
the water. Some are perhaps asleep, their heads turned 
round on their backs, the dumpy little creatures resembling 
balls of black and white, but the majority will probably be 
feeding, every now and then disappearing under the surface. 
Should one wait a little time longer in silence the birds will, 
in all likelihood, approach closer to the water’s brink. Now, 
even without a field-glass, the adult male with dark glossy 
back and neck, crested head, white flanks and bright yellow 
eyes, can readily be detected. 
When suspicious of danger, it swims so low in the 
water that its white sides cannot be seen. On salt-water 
inlets it might be mistaken in the distance for a Scoter, 
from which, however, it may be distinguished by its smaller 
size, and by the fact that unlike the Scoter it never 
assembles in immense flocks; moreover, the Scoter, being 
exclusively marine in its habits, 1s often found weathering 
the gale far out at sea. 
At times the Tufted Duck will associate with other 
species, especially about the mouths of large rivers, where 
food and consequently bird-life is abundant. I have seen 
small parties in company with Golden-eyes at the estuary 
of the River Liffey, Dublin, the birds quietly floating down 
the tide in single file. Prior to the spring- -migration, if 
have noticed Tufted Ducks on the water in company with 
many other species, frequently with Mergansers. 
Food.—This Duck seeks its food chiefly i in the morning 
and evening; it may be seen sleeping during the day! on 
ornamental waters. Descending to a considerable depth in 
quest of food—shell-fish, aquatic insects, and vegetables—it 
has been taken in nets lying fifteen fathoms deep on Lough 
Neagh (Ussher). 
Voice.—The voice is guttural in character, the call-note 
sounding lke curragh-curragh-curragh (Whitaker). 
Nest.—The Tufted Duck breeds on the ground and 
generally near water, concealing its nest in grass-tufts and 
other available herbage. Mr. Ussher states that he has 
‘seen nine nests, each in the centre of a large clump of 
rushes on a high grassy peninsula, with cattle, sheep, and 
horses, grazing between the nests.” The eggs, eight to 
' A habit also common to the Pochard and Golden-eye. 
