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AQUATIC FOWL. 



tail, and vent black ; the rest of the body of a delicate, pale gray, 

 minutely waved over with blackish gray. It is much esteemed 

 for the table. 



THE LONG-TAILED DUCK 



Is not a very abundant British species, but found, during the 

 winter, hi most parts of England and Ireland ; in Scotland, towards 

 the north, it is more common. It breeds in Norway, Denmark, 

 Sweden, Iceland, &c. Audubon found it breeding in Labrador, 

 by the fresh-water lakes. It is about the size of the widgeon. 

 The bill is black ; down the middle and across the tip orange ; irides 

 red ; the fore part and sides of the head are reddish gray ; on each 

 side of the neck, just below the head, is an oval, black spot ; 

 the hind part of the head and throat, and remaining part of the 

 neck and breast white ; back and rump black ; sides of the upper 

 tail coverts white, the middle black ; the lower belly and vent 

 white ; the scapulars white, long, and pointed ; the wings chiefly 

 black, with a mixture of chesnut ; the four middle tail feathers 

 are black, the others white ; the two middle ones are narrow, and 

 exceed the others three inches and a half ; legs of a dull red j 

 claws black. The down is said to be as valuable as that of the 

 Eider duck. 



THE VELVET DUCK, VELVET SCOTER, OR GREAT BLACK DUCK, 



Is a sea duck, and winter visitor on our coasts ; but more abun- 

 dant in the north, and common, in winter, in the Orkneys. It 



