ANATID^E. 241 



has been observed a few miles at sea, being, how- 

 ever, very wild and difficult of approach. I have 

 a specimen which was killed off Selsey Bill. 



COMMON SCOTER, Oidemia nigra. Abundant 

 in the neighbourhood of the coast during severe 

 winters, and may be observed in mid-channel at 

 all times of the year. The fishermen call them 

 "black ducks." 



POCHARD or DUN BIRD, Fuligula ferina. Of 

 frequent occurrence in inclement seasons, and 

 equally acceptable to the wild-fowl-shooter and 

 the gourmand. 



SCAUP DUCK, Fuligula marila. Perhaps the 

 most common species, after the wigeon, that is 

 met with on this coast during the winter months. 



TUFTED DUCK, Fuligula cristata. Almost as 

 abundant as the last. 



LONG-TAILED DUCK, Fuligula glacialis. Adult 

 specimens of the long-tailed duck are of rare oc- 

 currence in Sussex. It is strictly a winter visitor, 

 and a continuance of severe weather is necessary 

 to induce it to wander so far from its northern 

 haunts. In 1839 I shot a young male, at Pagham 

 Harbour, out of a flock of scaup ducks. Immature 

 examples have occurred on other parts of the 

 coast, near Chichester, Brighton, and Pevensey; 

 and I have a specimen which was shot as far 



M 



