THK LOKG-TAILED DUCK. 149 



shot near the Long Strand. It is an adult female^ and agrees 

 with Jenyns^ description of that sex. The bill and legs are 

 coloured as in the specimen of December 1837. Its stomach 

 was about half filled with gravel and fragments of Mytill and 

 Rissoa. Octoher 31, 1840. Two of these birds were seen in 

 company, to-day, off Adam's Point, one of which was killed and 

 the other winged. They were remarked to be extremely expert 

 at diving, — as much so as the golden-eye. The former was an 

 immature male ; its stomach contained different species of Rissoa, 

 small specimens of Cerithmm reticulatimi, and fragments of stone. 

 November 13, 1843. Two long-tailed ducks were shot in the bay 

 in company with golden-eye ducks, the first time they have 

 been observed here associated with any other species. On the 

 18th of this month one was obtained at Adam's Point, in a dif- 

 ferent (younger ?) state of plumage from any I had previously 

 seen, and which proved on dissection to be a female. The 

 stomach was fiUed with small Crustacea [Gammarula) and tes- 

 taceous mollusca ; — three of Nucula margaritacea and several of 

 Rissoa ulva. December 21, 1844. Two of these birds, which 

 admitted of a close approach, were seen in the bay, at this date, 

 and likewise for some days before, by Eichard Flack. Just after 

 having fired at godwits he pushed his boat over the spot where 

 they had been, they having dived rather than take wing when the 

 fowler thus came to close quarters with them. Neither was an 

 adult male ; but a third one, seen with them, though not satis- 

 factorily, from its always flying off when nearly approached, was, 

 from that reason, believed to be an old bird. It always returned 

 to the others when the alarm was over. Octoher 21, 1847. A 

 young male was shot near Ballymacarrett, and only the one seen. 

 Its stomach contained Rissoa ulvce and the remains of shrimps 

 {Crangon vulgaris). December 27, 1848. A beautiful specimen 

 of the adult male was shot in the bay. Coming under my in- 

 spection when quite recent, I noted it as fully agreeing with 

 Yarrell's description of the bird in tliis plumage, except in the 

 following characters : — 



BUI : the nail, and half of the side of the upper mandible next its base, black. 



