246 LONG-TAILED DUCK. 



Nucula margaritacea ; some of the Mytili; together with shrimps, (Crangon vulgaris.) 

 and other small Crustacea. 



They breed in the extreme northern regions, as round Hudson's Bay. 



The nest, which is placed near the edge of some small lake, is composed of a few 

 stems of grass, and is lined with the clown of the female, which is said to be equally 

 valuable with that of the Eider Duck. 



The eggs, which are from ten to fourteen in number, are of a bluish white colour, 

 (Yarrell says greenish white, with a tinge of buff,) and measure two inches and one- 

 sixth in length, by one inch and a half in breadth. 



The following description of the winter plumage of the adult male, taken from a very 

 fresh and fine bird, by Mr. Thompson, Ave give in his own words : — "Bill, the nail, and 

 half of the side of the upper mandible next its base, black, while the whole upper surface 

 and anterior part of the side were of a deep rose-colour. Irides, very light yellowish 

 hazel; cheeks and ear coverts, pale grayish drab, except a small space of pure white 

 margining the eye. Forehead, pale gray, which colour also extends round the throat, 

 and continues downward so as to margin the entire inner or lower side of the dark 

 chestnut brown patch on each side of the neck. Central line of lower part of throat, 

 between the two approximating edges of the chestnut patch, white. Top of head, very 

 pale buff; back and lower part of neck all round, pure white, which colour extends 

 down between the 'shoulders.' Scapulars and sides beneath the wings, or 'flanks,' pale 

 slate-colour; entire breast, dark chestnut brown, of the same hue as the patch on the 

 head ; belly and under tail coverts, white. Tail feathers — two outer pair pure white, the 

 three next, with a dark longitudinal line near the centre, becoming gradually broader in 

 those approximating the middle of the tail; the second longest pair all black, except a 

 narrow line of white on each side of their basal portion; the longest pair wholly black. 

 Tarsi and toes, very pale lead-colour; webs, grayish black; nails, blackish." 



In the summer it is said to have the forehead and cheeks gray wood brown; "centre 

 of the crown, black; the occiput and chin, white; the neck, breast, and upper parts of 

 the belly, deep pitch black; lower belly, sides, and under tail coverts, pure white. The 

 upper part of the back aDd long scapulars are black, with broad margins of reddish 

 brown ; the mantle, lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts, wings and tail, deep 

 brownish black. The secondaries have the outer webs tinted with reddish brown, forming 

 an indistinct speculum." — Jardine. 



In the female, the forehead, crown, nape, and patch on the neck, are brown. Back and 

 wings, dark brown; primaries and tail, black; neck and upper breast, yellowish brown; 

 lower breast, belly, vent, and under tail coverts, pure white. The longest feathers of 

 the tail are also wanting. 



The male measures twenty-two inches in length. The female but sixteen inches. 



