158 ANATID^ 



fall nuptial dress. The plumage of unsullied white, here 

 and there interrupted by bands and patches of velvety-black, 

 is most beautiful, and in nicety of size, neatness of shape, 

 and grace of deportment, no other bird can well surpass 

 it. Hence the adult males are much sought after, and 

 are very scarce and difficult to procure. They appear 

 to be more strictly maritime in their habits than the 

 females and young ; even during rough weather the 

 former keep out to sea, while the latter w r ili usually 

 avail themselves of the shelter of bays or inland waters. 

 So comparatively scarce is the old drake, that notwith- 

 standing its striking plumage it is practically unknown 

 to fishermen, who call this species the ' Red-Headed 

 Smew/ from the colour of the female and young. This 

 Duck, as a water-bird, is exceedingly active, diving and 

 swimming with great alacrity, but on land it progresses 

 slowly and in an ungainly manner, due to its feet being 

 placed so far back. 



Food. The food, which is obtained by diving, consists 

 mainly of fish, but small crabs and molluscs are also eaten. 

 Flight. The flight is strong and rapid. 

 Voice. The voice is grating in character, the notes 

 resembling the syllables curr-curr-curr-curr. In the breed- 

 ing-season a somewhat softer whistling note may be heard. 



Nest. The nest is built in holes in trees ; thus eggs were 

 taken by Wolley in Finnish Lapland, 1 " from a hollow in 

 an old rotten birch-stump on June 8th, 1857 " (Saunders). 

 The nest is lined with white down. The eggs, seven or 

 more in number, are cream-coloured. 



Geographical distribution. 2 The Smew breeds in Nor- 

 thern Kussia and Siberia, its range being limited by the forest- 

 growth. On its winter migration it visits the seas and 

 inland waters of Southern and South-eastern Europe and 

 Asia, while westward, in Europe and North Africa, it 

 spreads as far as the sea-board of the Atlantic Ocean. 



DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 



PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial. Head, chiefly silken- 

 white, except the lower feathers of the crest (which are 



1 Finnish Lapland appears to be the western limit of the breeding- 

 range of this species. 



2 In the British Museum there is a specimen of a Smew which is said 

 to have come from North America. 



