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on the fore part of the back ; the outer two tail feathers white — the 

 rest marked with brown, excepting the four acuminated feathers, 

 which are blackish-brown, the middle pair extending several inches 

 beyond the others. Female without the long scapulars, or elonga- 

 ted tail feathers ; bill dusky-green ; head, dark, grayish-brown ; a 

 patch of grayish-white on the sides of the neck ; crown blackish ; 

 upper parts dark grayish-brown ; lower parts white. Length of 

 male from the point of the bill to the end of the elongated tail feath- 

 ers, twenty-three inches, wing eight inches and five eighths. Fe- 

 male about six inches less in length. 



This hardy bird at the South is known by the name of " South 

 Southerly j" in this vicinity it is called by our gunners " Old Wife," 

 or ''Old Squaw." The Long-tailed Duck is about the last that 

 leaves its natal regions. Provided with a covering sufficient to pro- 

 tect it from the most piercing blast of Winter, it struggles amid the 

 icy barriers until compelled to seek a better supply of food. When 

 in large flocks, they leave the inhospitable regions of the North for 

 a milder climate; they soon separate in small parties, and in the 

 course of the Winter are to be met with throughout the Atlantic dis- 

 tricts. It is very timid, and keeps such vigilant watch, that it is dif- 

 ficult to approach ; it is very expert in diving, passing so rapidly un- 

 der water that when sitting it is almost impossible to shoot it. The 

 most successful manner is by sailing after it. On the wing, it is the 

 swiftest of its tribe, and the most difficult to shoot. Its body is thick- 

 ly coated with down — its flesh is tough and fishy; and is occasion- 

 ally seen on the small streams in the interior. Common along the 

 Atlantic districts. 



