LONG-TAILED DUCK EIDER DUCK. 91 



LONG-TAILED DUCK (Harelda glacialis). 



A regular winter visitor, especially to our eastern coasts and 

 to the north. It may possibly breed in the extreme north of 

 these islands. 



Haunts. The sea. 



Plumage. Head and neck white. Cheeks brownish grey. 

 Back, rump, and tail-feathers the central pair being much 

 elongated black. Scapulars elongated, and outer tail-feathers 

 and under parts white. Breast, wing-coverts, and primaries 

 blackish brown. Bill rose-colour ; nail and basal portion 

 black. Legs and feet lead-colour ; webs blackish. Length 26 in. 

 Female : upper parts dark brown ; dull white stripe over eye ; 

 under parts white ; no long tail-feathers. Young, similar. 



Language. A loud, clear " our-o-u-ah." 



Habits. Very marine when in these islands. It dives, but 

 takes most of its food from the surface. When swimming, the 

 long tail is held aloft, in its restless and gambolling actions ; 

 in flight the tail is depressed. 



Food. Mollusca, Crustacea, sea-plants, &c. 



Nidification. Breeds in Arctic regions. 



EIDER DUCK (Somateria mollissima). 



An uncommon visitor to the more southern coasts ; com- 

 moner towards the north and in Scotland. Breeds in the 

 Fame Islands and other suitable localities in Scotland. 



Haunts. The sea. 



Plumage. Crown and forehead black ; a white line bisecting 

 the crown and extending to the pale green nape, and divided 

 by another white line proceeding from the green portion on 

 either side of the neck. Cheeks, back, and wing-coverts white. 

 Secondaries yellowish white. Quills, rump, and tail blackish, 

 with white patch on either side of the tail. Breast rosy buff. 

 Belly black. Bill greenish, with wedge of black feathers ex- 

 tending centrally towards nostrils. Legs and feet dull green. 

 Length 23 in. Female, ruddy brown, barred with blackish 

 brown. Young, much like female. 



Language. Usually very silent. It utters a moaning cry, 

 like " ah-woe-o-a-woo," much like the Long-tailed Duck. 

 Female utters a harsh croak. 



Habits. Gregarious throughout the year. It is a powerful 

 swimmer and expert diver, and flies rapidly at no great eleva- 

 tion above the water. Its food is obtained at the bottom of the 

 sea. The hen bird is tame when sitting, but if rudely dis- 

 turbed she squirts a stinking fluid over her eggs. 



Food. Many kinds of Crustacea, sea-weed, &c. 



Nest. End of May. One brood. 



