139 



The erratic flight of this curious little bird is 

 often a puzzle to nervous shooters, many a charge 

 of shot being wasted before it is discovered that by 

 waiting a few moments an easy chance is obtained. 



The specimens in the case were shot in 

 Pevensey Marshes in March, 1866. 



TUFTED DUCK. 

 Case 196. 



On the lochs in the Highlands and on the 

 lakes and broads in England the Tufted Duck may 

 be found in smaller or larger flocks during the 

 winter months. 



It is not till the latter end of the season 

 that any except the oldest drakes assume their 

 handsome plumage. On their first arrival in the 

 autumn the whole of the birds ^composing the 

 flocks present the appearance of females or young. 



The males with the long tuft are supposed by 

 the gunners in the east of Norfolk to be in no way 

 related to the rest of their families, and together 

 with the drake Golden Eyes are termed " Old 

 Hard weathers." I happened one night while flight 

 shooting to kill a perfect specimen of both species 

 with the same barrel, and nothing would convince 

 my punt-man that they were not male and female 

 of one and the same kind. 



Like the Scaup and Pochard, with which they 

 occasionally associate, the Tufted Duck is an 

 excellent diver. A successful shot with the punt- 

 gun at a large flock is certain to produce a number 

 of cripples ; these it is almost useless to pursue if 

 there is the slightest ripple on the water, as each 

 makes off in a separate direction only occasionally 

 showing the point of its bill for air. 



One of the drakes in the case while attempting* 

 to escape by diving was caught round the neck by 

 a weed and drowned. The water being at the 



