LONG-TAILED DUCK. 381 



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 depends 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 farther 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 Avinter, when 

 their cacklings, though different from those of our frogs in spring, are 

 almost as incessant from sunset until dawn. For my part, I have never per- 

 ceived any resemblance which their notes bear to the words "south-souther- 

 ly," 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 Nut- 

 tall, 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 ludicrous drawling 

 tone. Dr. Richardson 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 during the breeding season, they give a 

 decided preference to the sea; and indeed generally keep in deep water. 

 Owing to their reiterated cries 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 persons usually call a "bone." Like all others 

 of its tribe, it also prefers swimming against both wind and tide, as then it 

 can sooner take wing if necessary. In calm and pleasant weather, like its 

 congeners, it is fond of throwing its body almost over, and of pluming itself 

 in that position. W'hen on wing, the long feathers of its tail do not seem to 

 aid its progress, any more than in other species. 



It seldom removes from the north on its way to our Middle Districts in 

 large flocks; but at the approach of the breeding season, and after the birds 



