ter Shoveller, Garganey, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, Po- 

 chards, Mallards, Pintail, and Golden-Eye ; and on a hright mild 

 day at this season, an hour may he pleasantly spent in watching 

 them with a glass, as some of them play ahout and lash the water 

 with their wings whilst bathing and diving. 



In addition to the species I have mentioned, we have on the 

 coast Eiders, Sheldrakes, Scoters, Velvet Ducks, and Long- 

 tailed Ducks ; and I will only say that as little is known of 

 their migrations as of the others. The Long-tailed Duck is pe- 

 culiar in this respect, that, whereas in all the other species the 

 Drakes, after once acquiring their full plumage retain it till 

 after the breeding season, it does not ; but about March his white 

 head becomes black, and the elongated scapulars, which are 

 white in winter, become black and brown ; some of them remain 

 into April, and complete this plumage before departing to their 

 breeding grounds. 



Many different species of ducks occasionally are locally indis- 

 criminately called by the same name. I have known Tufted 

 Ducks termed Golden-Eyes, and even once heard Mergansers 

 called " Teal." Too much reliance should not be placed on the 

 notice of the observance merely of a bird said to be of a rare 

 species. I know how very difficult it often is, even with the aid 

 of a good glass, to make out, under favourable circumstances, 

 the difference between some species, particularly when not in the 

 distinguishing garb of the male in full plumage. It requires a 

 person to be a good naturalist, as well as an observing man, to 

 distinguish at a distance, in autumn, such birds as Teal from 

 Garganeys, Wigeon from Pintails, and a different sort of a 

 naturalist entirely from him who can tell you what a dead bird 

 is when he has it to examine ; and when it is considered how 

 few men really know the young birds and the different states 

 of plumage, it seems probable some species have been admitted 

 as English on insufficient authority such as the Buffell-Headed 

 Duck, the young of which much resembles a young small 

 Golden-Eye. The drakes of this latter bird do not appear to 

 get their plumage the spring after they are hatched, as, like in 



