THE LONG-TAILED DUCK. 115 



though pretty regular visitants in winter to his 

 district, he has never observed more than a few at 

 a time. Yet their appearance, though irregular, is 

 nevertheless too frequent to be remarked upon as 

 curious. 



Captain Malet, R.N., when snipe-shooting near 

 Ardfert, co. Kerry, a few years ago, picked up from 

 a tuft of grass a live and uninjured Long-tailed 

 Duck that his setter stood to, and within a yard of 

 the dog's nose. This bird is often locally known 

 as the " Long-tailed Shelduck." For the derivation 

 of the name " Shell," as generally applied to ducks 

 which present a black and white, or pied, plumage, 

 see the account of the " Redbreasted Merganser," 

 and " Sheldrake." Mr. Gage, who owns and lives 

 on Rathlin Island, off the Antrim coast, remarks 

 that immature birds of this species are not uncom- 

 mon there. 



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