80 LOSTG-TAILED DUCK. 



are said to partake of the roots, leaves, buds, and seeds of 

 water-plants. 



The note is expressed by the word 'calloo,' and again by 

 the syllables 'our, o, u, ah,' or 'our' alone. When repeated 

 together, the sounds are said to bear a close resemblance to 

 the words 'coal-and-candle-light.' Meyer gives 'Wark, wark, 

 wark,' and 'ah, aulik.' The Americans, 'South Southerly;' 

 the Kamtschatdales, and the North American Indians, 'Cac- 

 camee,' and 'Ha-Ha-Way,' all of which latter are, says Mr. 

 Selby, to a certain degree, expressive of its note. 



The voices of a number of these birds together have a 

 musical sound, and the harmony has been compared to the 

 distant strains of the Scotch bagpipes. Their call-notes are 

 uttered all the day, when the birds are collected together, 

 and both male and female are constant in its use. The 

 noise of the flock is heard to a considerable distance. 



This species nidificates about inland lakes, ponds, and bogs, 

 among the plants and low brushwood that afford cover near 

 the water's edge. The nest is nothing more than a few 

 stems of reeds, rushes, or grass, lined with the down of the 

 mother bird, the quantity being added to as the number of 

 eggs increases. Many breed in the same vicinity. 



'About the latter end of April,' says Meyer, 'the birds 

 arrive in pairs at their breeding-places, and in May the 

 female lays. By the end of June or the beginning of July 

 the young make their appearance, and are soon led to the 

 sea-shore, and instructed to swim, dive, and provide for 

 themselves. The male, who leaves the care of the nursery 

 to his mate, joins his family on their arriving at that 

 locality, and accompanies them in their migratory journey 

 and winter sojourn.' 



The eggs are usually from six to ten in number, but 

 twelve have been found. They are of a pale greenish or 

 bluish white colour, tinted with buff. 



The Long-tailed Duck is a bird of striking and curious 

 appearance. Male; length, one foot ten inches; the bill is 

 short, dusky black at the base and towards the sides, the 

 tooth dusky black, the remainder of the upper mandible 

 deep red: the edges of both mandibles are deeply pectinated. 

 Iris, yellow; head on the crown, the feathers of which are 

 long with hair-like beards, silvery cream white, the forehead 

 and sides, which are grey, have a roseate tinge; neck in front, 

 white; on each side of it, just below the head, there is an 



