THE LONG-TAILED DUCK. 



Harelda glacialis (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 49. 



This beautiful species is a winter visitant to the British Islands, arriving in 

 considerable numbers in October and usually leaving in March. It is more 

 abundant in the waters of the northern and western islands and along the coasts 

 of Scotland and east coast of England than elsewhere, and is said to have nested 

 in the Orkneys and Shetlands, which statement seems open to doubt. 



The Long-tailed Duck breeds on the tundras of Northern Europe, Asia, and 

 America, chiefly within the Arctic Circle, retreating in winter to more temperate 

 climates. 



The nest, usually hidden away among dwarf willows, rough grass, or other 

 vegetation, and placed at various distances from fresh water, sometimes being 

 close to it, at others at some little distance, contains from six to eight or even nine 

 eggs, of a dull buff colour slightly tinged with greyish-green. 



When feeding, according to Millais {British Diving Ducks), " Long-tailed 

 Ducks seem capable of diving to a greater depth than most of the genus except 

 the Eider, the Scaup, and the Velvet-Scoter ; usually their feeding grounds are in 

 ten to thirty feet of water, and they seem able to remain below in considerable 

 currents. In diving they use the feet only, and turn and twist to avoid sea-weed 

 with great skill." 



Their food when off our coasts in winter consists principally of mussels and 

 other shell-fish, as well as small crustaceans, and in summer the leaves and seeds 

 of water-plants and also insects are eaten. 



The cry of the drake is a loud and musical call, rendered by some authors as 

 " calloo," but, according to Millais, " it is always the same, Ka-Ka-Coal-and 

 Candle-Light," and from its notes, various local names have been given to this 

 bird, supposed to represent its voice. 



The Long-tailed Duck is restless and active, and appears to be quite at home 

 even among fairly heavy seas. 



The winter plumage of this species, as shown on Plate 49, differs very much in 



colour from that assumed during the breeding season, which in the male is as 



follows : On the face a patch of brownish-grey, extending from the bill to the ear- 



48 



