﻿164 ANAT1D.E. 



in a very agreeable manner, uttering their call-notes all day 

 lono-. On the coast of Holland and France its occurrence is 

 very rare. 



When the frost closes the water, the Long-tailed Duck 

 joins the divers species of ducks that are congregated on 

 the sea, about the mouths of rivers, and increases the 

 myriads that frequent those localities. 



The spring, or northern migration, is performed in large 

 flocks during the night, which is ascertained by the noise 

 of their wings, and their frequently repeated call-note ; 

 the direction of their route is always towards the north- 

 east. 



Although their usual place of abode is the sea-coast, 

 many pairs of this species go inland to lakes and ponds 

 during the breeding season. 



The Long-tailed Duck is an expert diver as well as 

 swimmer, but unless it is obliged by some sudden necessity 

 to take wing, it does not prefer that mode of changing its 

 position, as rising from the water is an act that requires some 

 exertion, and it generally flies very near the surface of the 

 waves. 



This species is not shy on its arrival with us, owing to 

 its never having been pursued by man, or very rarely so, 

 in its native country, and it is a regular and easy matter 

 to approach a party on the water with a boat to within 

 fifteen yards and less ; but after some shots having been 

 fired, it soon becomes more wary and careful. 



Among its own species the Long-tailed Duck is very 

 sociable, but not so towards others, whose company it only 

 endures during the time of dearth, when it associates with 

 them near the mouths of rivers. 



The food of the present species consists principally in 

 shell-fish, which it obtains by diving to a depth of from four 



