120 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



SCAUP-DUCK {FuUgula marila). 



A common winter visitor to our coast-lines. Doubtful 

 if it ever breeds in the British Islands, but may do so 

 in far north. 



Haunts. — Oozy flats at the mouth of rivers and the 

 Hke. 



Plumage. — Head, neck and chest black, with green 

 and purple reflections. Mantle minutely vermiculated 

 with greyish brown and white. Speculum white, 

 bordered with greenish black. Rump, wings, and tail 

 brownish black, under parts white. Bill bluish grey, 

 with black nail. Legs and feet lead-colour. Length 

 19 in. Female : broad white band at base of bill ; 

 head and neck sooty black ; under parts dull white ; 

 flanks and under tail-coverts mottled with brown. 

 Young, much like female. 



Language. — A harsh discordant " scaup." 



Habits. — Gregarious. Flight rapid, and wings quickly 

 vibrated. Except when feeding on mud-flats, it dives 

 for its food. 



Food. — MoUusca and Crustacea chiefly ; also various 

 sea-plants. 



Nidification. — Breeds in Northern Europe. 



LONG-TAILED DUCK (Harelda glacialis), 



A regular winter visitor, especially to our eastern 

 coasts and to the north. It may possibly breed in the 

 extreme north of these islands. 



Haunts. — The sea, except in bad weather. 



Plumage. — Head and neck white. Cheeks brownish 



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