LONG-TAILED DUCK. 105 
Missouri, the Ohio, and all our western streams, in spring and autumn. 
Few Long-tailed Ducks are to be seen in the market of New Orleans, 
and in fact they are altogether what our gunners usually call “ sea 
ducks.” - 
The period of the first appearance of this species in autumn de- 
pends much on the state of the weather. I have known a difference 
of a whole month in the Sound, and quite as much in Chesapeake Bay, 
in both of which it is most abundant in winter, rarely proceeding far- 
ther south until driven away by extreme cold. Their advance from 
Labrador and Newfoundland along the coast, until they reach Long 
Island, is more hurried than afterwards. They arrive in small flocks, 
which are soon joined by others, and as they are prone to congregate, vast 
numbers are seen together in winter, when their cacklings, though dif- 
ferent from those of our frogs in spring, are almost as incessant from 
sunset untildawn. For my part, I have never perceived any resemblance 
which their notes bear to the words “* south-southerly,” but think their 
noisy cries as duckish as those of the Mallard, although sharper and 
more musical. The best imitation is given by my friend Nurratt, 
but if you attempt to reduce the syllables to sounds, there is some 
probability of your at least succeeding in exciting laughter in yourself 
or others. He says the notes are “ ogh, ough, egh,” and again “ ogh, 
ogh, ogh, ough, egh,” and adds that they are guttural, and have a ludi- 
crous drawling tone. Dr Ricnarpson informs us that “ the peculiar cry 
of this duck is celebrated in the songs of the Canadian voyagers.” This 
to my mind would imply that the Long-tailed Ducks are seen by these 
adventurous travellers on the waters of the inland streams, which 
would appear to be at variance with their usual habits, for unless du- 
ring the breeding season, they give a decided preference to the sea; 
and indeed generally keep in deep water. Owing to their reiterated 
eries these birds are named “ Noisy Ducks ;” but they have various 
appellations, among others those of “ old wives,” and “ old squaws.” 
Although, like all sea-ducks, the ‘“‘ Old Wife” swims deeply, it moves 
with a grace and celerity, which if not superior to those of any of its 
tribe, are at least equal; and when the weather is rough, and the 
waters agitated, it raises its tail in the same manner as the Ruddy 
Duck and Pintail. When advancing in smooth water, its speed is 
such as to cause a considerable swell before it, such as sea-faring per- 
sons usually call a “ bone.” Like all others of its tribe, it also pre- 
