BIRD-LIFE BY RIVER AND STREAM. 93 



Golden-eye, although we have some evidence 

 to suggest that this Duck was formerly much 

 more abundant -in Devonshire than is now the 

 case, and perhaps of the two species it shows 

 the most partiality for our tidal rivers. The 

 Long-tailed Duck can only be regarded as a 

 rare visitor to them. Eider Ducks are rare 

 visitors indeed. We have never observed them, 

 although many years ago immature birds were 

 obtained in the estuary of the Exe. The Scoters, 

 too, rarely visit these southern estuaries, although 

 the Common Scoter is a well-known bird along 

 the coast. These birds are par excellence Ducks 

 of the open sea. Of the Mergansers we may 

 mention the Goosander as an irregular visitor to 

 the estuaries, sometimes in exceptional numbers; 

 and to the Red-breasted Merganser very similar 

 remarks may be applied. We have repeatedly 

 seen the latter species fishing in the estuary of 

 the Teign, and doubtless following the rocky coast 

 round to Babbacombe and Tor Bay, where flocks 

 are sometimes noticed. The Smew, known locally 

 as the White Wigeon or White Nun, is the most 

 river-haunting of all the Mergansers that visit us 

 during the winter, entering the estuaries and in 



