LONG-TAILED DUCK 133 



Adult male, post-nuptial or eclipse. "Eclipse male 

 resembles a faded female, but much paler on the scapulars ; 

 assumed about middle of August." (Described by Mr. F. 

 Coburn, from a specimen in his collection.) 



Adult female nuptial. Head, neck, and back, brown ; 

 sides of abdomen, tinged with greyish-brown. 



Adult winter, male and female. Similar to the respective 

 nuptial plumages. 



Immature, male and female. Resembles the female 

 plumage. 



BEAK. Bluish. 



FEET. Yellowish -pink. 



IRIDES. Dark brown. 



EGGS. White, tinged with green : clutch, ten. 



AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 



TOTAL LENGTH 15 in 



WING 6'5 



BEAK ... ... ... ... 1 ,, 



TAESO-METATARSUS ... 1 ,, 



EGG 2 x 1*5 in. 



LONG-TAILED DUCK. Harelda glacialis (Linnaeus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain.' vol. v, pi. 33; 

 Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. vi, pis. 443, 444; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vii, pi. 50. 



Around the coasts of Scotland and the north-west of 

 Ireland, small gatherings of Long-tailed Ducks, active and 

 sprightly-looking, may be seen at times riding on the 

 rough waves of the winter- sea, their lively gambols and 

 clamorous voices telling us that they are in the zenith of 

 enjoyment in their maritime home. 



Before October, few appear on our coasts, and most ol 

 the birds depart in April. Along the southern and south- 

 western sea-board of England and Ireland this species 

 is somewhat uncommon ; proceeding northward it becomes 

 more plentiful, large numbers visiting several of the Scottish 

 Islands. 



