The Longstone Relief 



Ahead of us a number of long-tailed ducks are swimming 

 and feeding, and we have an opportunity of watching them 

 for a while. The company consists of seven birds — five 

 ducks and two drakes. The latter seem to ride more 

 buoyantly on the water, and their very long tail feathers are 

 held jauntily in the air, whereas in the case of the ducks these 

 long tail feathers are absent. Every now and again one of 

 the drakes pursues his rival across the water, and then both 

 birds fly round for awhile, with tail feathers drooping, before 

 alighting on the water and sliding for some yards along the 

 surface before coming to rest. Periodically all the seven birds 

 dive, opening their tails, razor-bill fashion, as they submerge. 

 They seldom remain below water more than thirty seconds. 

 The sun, now shining fitfully, lights up the handsome 

 plumage of the drakes and shows the white breast and brown 

 cheeks distinctly. 



The harbour of Seahouses is reached with the first of the 

 fishing fleet, and the wind still remains light, though every 

 sign of the sky appears to signal an approaching storm. 



ao3 



