142 NATURAL HISTORY [Birds. 



mine the feathers, but those who ate them said they tasted 

 \vild. They fly in pretty large flocks, keeping much in the 

 sea. 



Species 10. The Swallow-tailed Shieldrake. 



Wil. Orn. 364. Rail Syn. AV. 145. Anas glacialis, Lin. Sys. 203. Brit. 



Zool.36S. IV.pl. 86. 



THIS species is the constant inhabitant of our fresh water 

 lakes through the winter. It comes in October in large flocks, 

 and continues till April, when it disappears for the summer, 

 retiring to the north. 



This species does not confine itself to the fresh waters. 

 About sunset they may be seen in vast flocks going from or 

 returning to the sea, where they frequently pass the night 

 with a great noise, which may be heard at a vast distance, 

 especially in a still frosty night, when it may be heard some 

 miles. 



These are not so shy as the former species ; are pretty fre- 

 quently shot, but not much admired for eating. 



