OP THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 397 



of Northern Europe and Asia. It is most probable that this Duck pairs for life, 

 as all the winter it may be noticed swimming in pairs, and even the large flocks 

 are made up of about equal numbers of ducks and drakes. The nest is made by 

 the waterside among willows and junipers, or on a bank where the ground is 

 clothed with sedge tufts and various species of the order Ericaceae, or bilberries, 

 cranberries, and the like. In Iceland Proctor found it among large stones near 

 the water's edge. The nest is made in a hollow in the ground of dry grass, bits 

 of sedge, and withered leaves, warmly lined with down as the eggs are deposited. 

 The usual number of eggs is eight or nine ; but where several females lay in the 

 same nest, as is sometimes the case, Dr. Kruper found as many as twenty-two. 

 They are pale greenish-grey, and measure on an average 2'6 inches in length by 

 1'7 inch in breadth. The down tufts are large, dark brown in colour, with pale 

 centres. One brood only is reared in the year, the female taking all charge. 



Diagnostic cliaracters.— (Nuptial plumage), FuUgula, with the crown 

 and neck metallic-green and purple, and the lower back and scapulars white 

 vermiculated with black (adult male) ; with a white alar speculum and axillaries, 

 and with a varying amount of white vermiculations on the upper parts (adult 

 female). Length, 18 inches. 



