264 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



will often fly about the bay for a long time after 

 being disturbed, repeatedly seeming as though 

 about to alight, but just as often continuing their 

 course. Both Tufted Ducks and Scaups are often 

 to be met with in flocks off the bay, and occasion- 

 ally a few odd birds are shot about the headlands. 

 The great companies, however, generally keep out- 

 side, or if venturing in to feed, do so under the 

 cover of darkness. Occasionally the bay is visited 

 by other species of Ducks, but the three above 

 named are the most characteristic of the locality. 

 Thus, for instance, the Pintail has been known to 

 visit Tor Bay in some numbers, but many years 

 ago ; the Pochard pays us an occasional call (there 

 is an example in the Torquay Museum) ; the 

 Golden-Eye is sometimes recognised, and a speci- 

 men has been recorded ; the Long-tailed Duck has 

 occurred, once at least in a flock ; the Harlequin 

 Duck may possibly have visited us (cf. p 290); an 

 odd Eider has been obtained, and is now in the local 

 collection ; while both the Velvet Scoter and the 

 Surf Scoter can claim Tor Bay records. The coast 

 here is not suited to the requirements of such non- 

 diving Ducks as Mallards and Wigeons, but these 

 have already received attention in our notes on 



