THE SOUTHEELY AND WHISTLER. 287 



The SOUTHERLY, as well as the dipper, are essentially 

 sea ducks, neither being found inland. The former doubt- 

 less derives its name from the notes it utters when calling 

 to each other or when alarmed. In stormy weather they 

 are particularly garrulous, and the notes " Sou-southerly " 

 may be heard in every direction, as distinctly uttered as if 

 by a human being, and the intonation is particularly 

 musical. They also possess great beauty of plumage, the 

 preponderating colouring being rich brown interspersed 

 with white. They are a little larger than our teal ; how- 

 ever, they are tough and fishy, consequently little used for 

 the table when other varieties can be obtained, so that, 

 except in cases of necessity, the sportsman ought always to 

 spare them. 



The WHISTLER is about the size of the former, but fuller 

 in form. It is a dark, sombre bird, with a beautiful white 

 bar on each wing. They derive their name from a sharp 

 whistling sound emanating from each wing when in flight. 

 Unlike the former species, they frequent the rapids and air- 

 holes of rivers in severe frost, consequently are not, strictly 

 speaking, sea ducks. When in such haunts they are ex- 

 tremely wary and difficult of approach, and being very 

 powerful of wing and extremely tenacious of life, will fly a 

 long distance after they have been severely wounded. 

 Although my experience would cause me to say otherwise, 

 they are not much appreciated as an article of food. 



For general duck-shooting, that is, for killing a great 

 variety of this appreciated race, I know few places I can 

 more strongly recommend than a beautifully- timbered placid 

 stream called the Irequois, flowing through the northern 



