]02 BRITISH BIRDS, THElll EGGS AND NESTf,. 



bare net with ?.t here ID the narrow, rapid trout-stream which 

 runs through this part of the country, and at a distance of not 

 less than nine or ten miles from the sea. It breeds sparingly 

 Holland and in more northerly countries. 



263. LONG-TAILED DUCK (Fidigula glacialis). 

 Another bird which, like the two last, is sufficiently well- 

 known without being exceedingly or indeed in the least degree 

 numerous. It is in fact a rather rare and very beautiful Duck, 

 and is remarkable for the great variations of plumage to which it 

 is liable, according to differences of age, sex, and season. It 

 breeds abundantly in Norway and Denmark, and much more so 

 in purely Arctic regions. 



264. HARLEQUIN DUCK (7^%^ histrionica). 

 Another very beautiful bird, and most peculiarly marked. So 



much so as to remind its sponsors, as it appears, of the artistic 

 effects produced by the customary pictorial adornment of our 

 facetious friend Harlequin's face. A rarer bird, however, than 

 even the Long-tailed Duck last named. 



265. GOLDEN EYE (M>^ clanguld). 

 Brown-headed Duck, Grey-headed Duck, Pied Wigeon, Golden- 

 eyed Wigeon, Duck or Teal, Morillon, Rattlewings. As well 

 known and as common as perhaps either the Scaup or the 

 Tufted Duck, but known by different names according to the 

 state of plumage depending on sex and age, females and young 

 birds being much more common than adult males. As not known 

 to breed in England no notice of nest or eggs can be inserted 

 here. In the Appendix, however, a very interesting notice of one 

 of its habits connected with its breeding time will be inserted. 



266. BUEFEL-HEADED VUCK(Fuliffula albeola). 

 A visitor, but a very rare one, to our shores in winter. 



267. SMEW (Mergus albellus). 



White Nun, Red-headed Smew (for young), Smee, Lough 

 Diver, White-headed Goosander, White Merganser. This bird 

 helps us from the group of sea-loving Ducks just noticed to that 

 of the Mergansers, whose diving habits and powers may be in- 

 ferred from their names. The Smew is perhaps quite i he most 

 common of the entire family; but they are very wary and. difficult to 

 approach. They are not known to breed in any part of the 

 United Kingdom. 



268. HOODED MERGANSER (Mergus cucullalus}. 

 A rare and accidental visitor to this country, and indeed to the 

 European continent. 



