24 The Zoologist — January, 1866. 



in plumage. I had then no good work of reference at hand to 

 decide. On leaving Flamborough 1 left ihe duck at the residence of 

 Mr. Bailey, bird-preserver, but without any particular orders respecting 

 it. Mr. Bailey was from home at the time, not returning for some 

 days ; he has since written to inform me that he was unable to make 

 out the species, and that he regretted very much the duck had been 

 destroyed. On consulting Yarrell and other authorities I find the 

 duck almost perfectly described as the female harlequin {Anas histri- 

 onica). I will briefly describe it, and leave the readers of the 

 'Zoologist' to judge if I am correct in so calling it. Length about 

 fourteen inches; wings short and pointed; two first primaries the 

 longest, the first slightly exceeding the second. Bill bluish black ; 

 feet and legs the same colour as the bill, but with the webs much 

 darker; irides brownish orange. The whole of the upper parts sooty 

 brown, approaching to black ; neck and breast mottled with two 

 shades of brown; a spot on the forehead, also before and behind the 

 eye, whitish gray ; under parts white. 



Two scoters, probably velvet, as they showed the white speculum in 

 flight, next took our attention, but were far too wary to allow us to 

 get within range. There were several redlhroated divers in the bay, 

 and one which, from its large size and appearance, must have been 

 Colymbus glacialis. This bird led us a long chase, constantly diving, 

 coming up again an immense distance a-head. A stern chase is pro- 

 verbially a long chase, and so it proved in this instance, for the bird, by 

 its wonderful diving powers, rapidly increased its distance, and forced 

 us at last reluctantly to abandon the pursuit. The redthroated divers 

 permitted a much nearer approach, never allowing us, however, to get 

 within shot; just when a ksv more pulls would have brought them 

 within range they would most provokingly rise and fly rapidly out to 

 sea, neck and head stretched out, the back and tail forming the 

 segment of a circle, their wings rapidly moving, and thus scuttle along 

 scarcely raised above the waves. Observed flocks of ducks near the 

 centre of the bay, but loo far away to identify the species. A skua 

 passed in chase of a kittiwake, and cormorants were continually 

 passing and repassing us. 



When about two miles to the right of the Head, and near the 

 entrance of the Bay, we anchored the boat, and prepared the lines for 

 fishing. 1 was surprised to see at this distance from the land, a lark 

 singing high overhead, blithe and merry as when poised over an inland 

 meadow. A " red admiral" butterfly passed flying towards the coast, 



