CHAP, xvi.] LONG-TAILED DUCK VELVET DUCK. 131 



on our coast the long-tailed duck, Anas glacialis. Its move- 

 ments and actions are peculiarly graceful and amusing, while its 

 musical cry is quite unlike that of any other bird, unless a slight 

 resemblance to the trumpeting of the wild swan may be traced 

 in it. Lying concealed on the shore, I have often watched these 

 birds, a* they swim along in small companies within twenty 

 yards of me ; the drake, with his gay plumage, playing quaint 

 antics round the more sad-coloured female sometimes jerking 

 himself half out of the water, at others diving under her, and 

 coming up on the other side. Sometimes, by a common impulse, 

 they all set off swimming in a circle after each other with great 

 rapidity, and uttering their curious cry, which is peculiarly wild 

 and pleasing. When feeding, these birds dive constantly, remain- 

 ing under water for a considerable time. Turning up their tails, 

 they dip under with a curious kind of motion, one after the other, 

 till the whole flock is under water. They are not nearly so wild or 

 shy as many other kinds of wild-fowl, and are easily shot, though 

 if only winged it is almost impossible to catch them, even with the 

 best retriever, so quickly do they dive. They swim in with the 

 flowing tide, frequently following the course of the water to 

 some little distance from the mouth of the river. When I see 

 them in the heavy surf on the main shore, they seem quite at 

 their ease, floating high in the water, and diving into the midst 

 of the wildest waves. When put up, they seldom fly far, keeping 

 low, and suddenly dropping into the water again, where they 

 seem more at their ease than in the air. When I have shot one 

 of these birds, its mate (whether the duck or the drake is the 

 survivor) returns frequently to the spot, flying round and round, 

 and uttering a plaintive call. 



On the open part of the coast they are often seen in company 

 with the velvet duck. The latter x'ery seldom comes into the 

 bay, but keeps without the bar, quite regardless of storm or wind. 

 It is a fine handsome bird, though of a rather heavy make. 

 When flying, they have very much the appearance of a black 

 cock, having the same white mark on the wing, and being black 

 in all other parts of their plumage. It is not difficult to ap- 

 proach these birds in a boat, but as they are not fit to eat, they 

 are not much sought after. They are excellent divers, and must 

 be shot dead, or they generally escape. 



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