ii6 British Diving Ducks 
rest of the head and neck, white ; base of neck brown, forming a band round the neck above 
the chest and breast, which is sandy-brown ; flanks, belly, and under parts, white ; mantle, 
scapulars, and centre of the wings rich chestnut brown, with blackish-brown centres ; pri- 
maries, blackish-brown ; secondaries, rich brown with sandy edges ; back, black, with sandy- 
brown edgings; tail, pale brown, inclined to sandy, short and sharp-pointed, a dark grey 
spot on chin ; feet, slate ; bill, slatey black. 
I have seen several adult females in winter plumage — and possess one caught in the 
salmon nets at Buddon Ness, January 1883 — which have a distinct tendency towards the 
male plumage. These are, like similar female Wigeon, not very rare, and it is possible that 
they are very old females. The one above referred to has almost a complete set of black 
feathers on the lower breast in the part where the male is black. The lower scapulars are 
tipped with greyish white, and the crown of the head, instead of being all dark brown, is 
brown intermixed with white. 
Adult Female. — Summer plumage : The female in April moults the same parts as 
the male. The head and neck is changed from white to a very dark brown, except a space 
from behind the eye extending forward to the bill, which becomes a dull white tinted with 
brown and edged near the crown with sandy-yellowish brown ; the lower chest is brown, 
edged with grey; nape and scapulars a richer red brown, with the black centre larger; 
a number of brown feathers appear on the flanks ; the rest of the plumage is the same 
as winter. This plumage becomes much worn and faded in July, and a complete change 
takes place in August and early September to the full winter dress. 
Breeding Range. — This common species breeds practically the whole way from 
Bering Straits to Iceland, and from Greenland to the Aleutian Islands. In summer it 
is an inhabitant of coast lands in the Polar regions and those near to the Arctic circle. 
Europe — British Isles: Orkneys. — Salmon is said to have found a nest which he took 
to be that of the Smew, but which may have belonged to this species {V. F. of Orkneys, 
p. 177). Mr. O. V. Aplin [ZooL, 191 1, p. 432, and 1912; B. Birds, v. p. 203) says he 
has received news of the breeding of this species in Orkney in 191 1, but gives only scanty 
details. 
Shetlands. — Two eggs were given to Wolley in 1848. Saxby also records eggs said 
to be of this species {B. of Shetlands, p. 257) ; a nest with five eggs possibly of this species 
was found in 1887 {V. F. of Shetlands, p. 139). 
Personally I do not trust any of the above records, and consider that very positive 
proof that the species has bred in the northern isles must be forthcoming before we can 
.accept the fact that the Long-tailed Duck has bred there. I have seen many Long-tails 
in both those groups of islands in summer. I have been on many a "wild-goose" chase 
to take their eggs. Those journeys have always resulted in the supposed rarities proving 
to be some common species. It is quite possible the species will nest some day with us, 
and most likely in the Shetlands, where the character of the lochs and rivers is more 
like the Arctic tundra. 
Faroes. — Colonel Feilden states that it probably breeds occasionally {ZooL, 1872, 
p. 3255), and the late Mr. Muller assured me that a few pairs nested annually, and showed 
me specimens killed in late summer. Theobald also states that it breeds there. 
Iceland. — Breeds abundantly at Myvatn and in many places along the north coast, 
