ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF LAPLAND. 365 



egg of the scaup resembles that of the pintail in 

 colour, but is larger and thicker, measuring 2 1 

 in. by 1^ in. 



The common scoter (A. nigra, Lin. ; " svarta," 

 Sw. ; " storra sorto," Lap.), (so named from its 

 wholly black colour) is commoner than the velvet 

 scoter, and always, as far as I could see, laid its 

 eggs in the low grounds. The egg of the scoter 

 is deep yellow-brown, 2| in. by If in. 



The velvet scoter (A. fusca, Lin.; "sjo orre," 

 S\v. and Lap., or the blackcock; "kolska," Fin.) 

 (from the white speculum on the wing, which 

 resembles that of an " orre " or blackcock). Con- 

 trary to the last, they say this duck leaves the 

 lowlands, and retires to breed on the fell lakes ; 

 and, although I was never able to find the nest 

 myself, I often used to see the birds on the small 

 fell lakes, evidently breeding. The egg of the 

 velvet scoter, which I received from Munioniska, 

 has an ivory tinge much clearer than that of the 

 common bird 2J by 2 in. 







The long-tailed duck (A. glaririUx, Lin. ; 

 "alfogel," Sw. ; " hanga," Lap.) made their 

 appearance on the Tana Eiver towards the 

 middle of May, and after remaining there a short 

 time, they retired up to the fell lakes to breed. 

 Before breeding, we always saw them in small 

 flocks ; and I think of all ducks these are the 



