Long-tailed Duck 
be ; this is undoubtedly caused by no lack of health or good spirits, for except when fed up a more lively 
and energetic little duck I never saw, but is probably the result of the bird being alone, that is to say, out 
of sight and hearing of other males of his own kind, so there is no other bird that he is inclined to chal- 
lenge or look upon as a rival. The first indications of the summer change of plumage in our bird com- 
menced on March 24th by a small dark patch about the size of a pea appearing at the base of the upper 
mandible. This rapidly spread in the form of a continuous band of perhaps a quarter of an inch in width 
up the centre of the forehead until at the end of a week it nearly reached the crown. Meanwhile, or 
about six days after the first appearance of this basal patch, specks of colour began to appear in the white 
of the neck, breast, and shoulders. From this date the change progressed apace, and I have notes to the 
effect that most of the beautiful scapulars were cast on April 4th, and that the whole transformation was 
completed in May." 
Unfortunately both Long-tailed Ducks died in the summer of 191 1, which was one of 
unusual heat. Mr. St. Quintin thinks that they may have died of sunstroke. 
