THE LONG-TAILED DUCK, ETC. 207 



ing plumage ; it also breeds in the western fjelds of 

 Norway. In spring and autumn it is by no means un- 

 common on the fjord near Christiania. Nils son says 

 that numbers of the long-tailed duck pass the winter 

 in the south coast of Sweden, in natural openings in 

 the ice. Mr. Von Wright confirms this statement, 

 and asserts that this bird dives down through the 

 openings in the frozen water, which are, however, 

 generally covered with a film of ice as thin as a wafer. 

 It probably does the same in the south of Norway, as 

 it is called here the iis-and, or ice duck. I have exa- 

 mined many specimens of this species in Norway, no 

 two of which were alike. The colours of the plumage 

 vary considerably when the breeding-season is over. 

 A beautiful specimen, in its full breeding plumage, 

 may be seen in the Zoological Museum at Christiania. 

 When the long-tailed duck goes to the inland lakes to 

 breed, it feeds on aquatic plants ; on its return to the 

 seacoast, it feeds on mollusks. The nest is made in 

 the herbage on marshy ground, and is lined with the 

 down from the bird's breast. The eggs are from six 

 to eight in number, and are pale yellowish-gray in 

 colour. During the time of incubation the male de- 

 serts the female, but returns to her when the duck- 

 lings make their appearance, and carefully leads them 

 to the water. 



The smew (Mergus albellus) is of very rare occur- 

 ence in this country. It breeds in Siberia. 



The red-breasted merganser (M. serrator). Com- 

 mon in all parts of Norway. The Norwegian fisher- 

 men consider that when it makes its appearance on 

 the coast, it is a sign that the winter is drawing to a 

 close. Called here langncebbet fisk-and, or long-billed 



