DUCKS-PELICANS. 425 



collection was taken out of a hole in a tree between lockmock 

 and Quickiock, in Lulea Lapland. The year before a golden 

 eye had bred in the same hole. The egg is so like that of 

 the widgeon in shape, size, and colouring, that it is difficult 

 to tell one from another, but the widgeon never breeds in a 

 tree. I believe, when placed under a microscope, there is 

 some difference in the texture of the shell. 



Any man who really wishes to make an authentic collec- 

 tion of ducks' eggs should always collect nests as well. I 

 always do, and this is a very great help in identifying the 

 eggs. 



The following description of a few ducks' nests will prove 

 what I say to be correct : 



1 . The Golden Eye. The very thin light down is pure 

 white ; centre white ; rays long, white, with a slight grey 

 tinge towards the tip. 



2. Long- tailed Duck. The thick down is blackish grey. 



3. The Pintail. The large thick down is pale grey 

 brown, with a light centre. 



4. The Widgeon. The down is; not thick, dark grey- 

 brown, with a paler centre. 



5. The Teal. Down short, greyish, with white spots on 

 the ground of the white centre. 



6. The Scoter. The fine thin down is very pale, with a 

 reddish grey tinge. 



7. The Velvet Scoter. Down dark, with pale grey 

 spots. 



, 8. The Merganser. Down short and thick, pale blue- 

 grey. 



Fam. 3. PELECANIRE. 



Toes four, all joined together by a broad web, and directed 

 to the front ; beak longish, hard, straight, point more or 

 less bent down ; face bare ; tail stiff. 



They all live on the sea coast, and lay a small quan- 

 tity of eggs (one to five), white, covered over with a chalky 

 substance. The sexes are alike in plumage. 



