112 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 



ture male was shot on the Derwent some years since 

 (J. W. Harris, MS.) Another male bird was shot 

 upon the river Ellen about 1855, by W. Ritson 

 [W. Hodgson, MS.) Another immature bird was 

 shot, out of a party of four, at Ravenglass, Novem- 

 ber 22nd, 1879 (Zool., 1880, p. 109.) A female, in 

 the Taylor collection, is believed to have been shot 

 on the Solway. When visiting Monkhill lough, on 

 January 24th, 1884, we recognised the presence of 

 a Long-tailed Drake in the plumage of the second 

 year, at the narrow and deepest end of the lough. 

 We examined it w^ith our glasses until a blinding 

 shower of sleet dimmed the lenses. When the 

 squall ceased, we again caught sight of the bird, and 

 were scrutinising him with interest when he rose, 

 and flying very low, proceeded to pitch in a direct 

 line with the bush behind which we were crouching, 

 at a distance of thirty-five or forty yards from shore. 

 Presently he caught sight of us, and rose, but only 

 to pitch again a few yards to our left, displaying his 

 dark webs as he dropped his feet in settling. It 

 was delightful to see a Long-tailed Duck at such 

 close quarters, and to note the neatly rounded out- 

 line, the short blackish bill, and the pretty white 

 and chocolate plumage. He did not utter any call- 

 note, but after a time flew ofl" to join the Coots in 

 the centre of the lough. He looked very white and 

 fairy-like beside the clumsy Coots, as the sun shone 

 cut upon the waters. When fired at on several 

 subsequent occasions, he invariably dived before the 

 shot could reach him, and then swam, or took a long 

 low flight, into the centre of the lough. When 



