LONG-TAILED DUCK. 187 



under low bushes, or among coarse grass, close to the 

 water. The eggs are given as being only five to seven 

 in number. The nest is made of grass and weeds and 

 is invariably lined with down, which is of fine quality, 

 apparently not much inferior to that of the eider duck. 



On their return from the North the old-squaws do 

 not reach the New England coast until the weather has 

 grown quite cold, long after the different varieties of 

 scoters have come and established themselves in their 

 winter home. Here they congregate throughout the 

 winter in vast numbers, associating with the scoters and 

 the eiders and yet often keeping very much by them- 

 selves. The old-squaw is one of the most expert of div- 

 ers and it used to be stated — and may be believed — that 

 in old times it could not be shot on the water with a 

 flint-lock gun. Even now it frequently dives so rap- 

 idly as to apparently escape the shot, and instances are 

 given of where a bird, shot at when flying low over the 

 water, had dived from the wing and escaped uninjured. 



The common name of this species refers to its noisy 

 habit. It is continually talking while on the water, and 

 the flocks, when flying, frequently utter their musical 

 cry. In almost all localities the bird takes its name from 

 this call, which is difficult of imitation. Perhaps the 

 Canadian syllables, Ca cd-wee, imitate the note as well 

 as anything that has been attempted. South south 

 southerly is supposed to represent it, but hardly does so. 

 The old-squaw is remarkable for the rapidity and the 

 irregularity of its flight. A flock starting low over the 

 water, to go in some direction, will zig-zag hither and 



