WILD FOWL. 107 



' Old Wife,' or * Old Squaw.' The Long-tailed Duck is about 

 the last that leaves its natal regions. Provided with a covering 

 sufficient to protect it from the most piercing blast of winter, it 

 struggles amid the icy barriers until compelled to seek a better 

 supply of food. When in large flocks, they leave the inhospi- 

 table regions of the North for a milder climate ; they soon sepa- 

 rate in small parties, and in the course of the winter are to be 

 met with throughout the Atlantic districts. It is very timid, 

 and keeps such vigilant watch, that it is difficult to approach. 

 It is very expert in diving, passing so rapidly under water, that 

 when sitting it is almost impossible to shoot it. The most suc- 

 cessful manner is by sailing after it. On the wing, it is the 

 swiftest of its tribe, and the most difficult to shoot. Its body is 

 thickly coated with down — its flesh is tough and fishy ; and is 

 occasionally seen on the small streams in the interior. Com- 

 mon along the Atlantic districts." — Giraucfs Birds of L. I. 



THE KING DUCK. 



FuUgula Spectahilis. 



This beautiful species is an inhabitant of the higher regions 

 of both continents. It is now rarely seen so low as Boston Bay, 

 where it is said by the gunners to have been plentiful within 

 thirty years. In fact it is now very rare within the limits of the 

 United States, though Mr. Giraud was so fortunate as to obtain 

 a specimen in full plumage killed on Long Island Sound. It is 

 closely allied to the Eider Duck, produces down as valuable, 

 and frequents the same latitudes with that bird. 



I never saw but one specimen of this beautiful bird, which 

 was brought by my friend, Mr. Henry Palmer, of Nova Scotia, to 

 the office of the Spirit of the Times during last summer. He 

 had shot it off" the northern end of Newfoundland, and was not 

 acquainted with its name. 



It is so rare that it cannot be termed game, and is, I presume, 

 uneatable. It will be easily recognized by its pale-yellow bill, 



