LONG-TAIL Kl) DUCK 
ANAS GLACIAIAS. 
The Long-tailed Duck lias been met with in larger or smaller numbers on all the seas, firtbs, and 
saltwater locks off every portion of our coast-line where I have spent any time in studying the habits 
of Wildfowl and Sea-birds. This species also occasionally penetrates to inland waters ; early m 
1872 I examined an immature bird shot by a man wlio worked in the marshes on llickling Broad in the 
east of Norfolk. 
The various species of fowl that procure their food by diving are seldom seen on land un ess 
during the breeding-season. I have only on one occasion watched Long-tailed Ducks exhibiting their 
walking capabilities. While lying off the southern shores of the Dornoch Birth, halfway between Tam and 
the ba^r, one afternoon in the winter of 18C8, five fowl, which I failed to recognize, were observed 
moving about and apparently feeding round the pools on the sands at the distance of between tliiee 
and four hundred yards. A glance through a strong binocular almost convinced the puntman and 
myself that the unknmvn Avere Long-tails ; so, directing our craft to be put ashore, I made my way 
inland across the wide stretch of sands, holding a course that w^ould lead past the birds at about 
ninety or one hundred yards. On drawdng nearer it became evident that our supposition w'as 
correct, the small group consisting of a couple of drakes and three female Long-tails. It was not till 
I advanced within an easy gunshot tliat the birds rose on wing, and flying straight for the open 
waters of the firth, aliglited about half a mile from the shore, and dropped slowly up the channel with 
the flood-tide. The whole party proved as confiding on the ivater as on land, and allowed us to scull 
past Avithin thirty yards, affording excellent chances for observation. Though the drakes had each the 
tAVO long tail-feathers Avell developed, their plumage Avas scarcely perfect, and not needing specimens in 
that condition w'e left them undisturbed. I remarked that the tails, as depicted in Gould’s Avork, 
Avere carried at a high elevation, occasionally drooped, but for the most part lifted up in a most jaunty 
manner. As the daylight faded Avhile Ave Avaited for the tide to flow up the course of the small river 
runnin" through the sands toAvards our boat-house on the Avaste ground beloAv Tain, their calls were 
plainly audible; the sounds arising from various quarters, the birds Avere evidently being answered by 
others further out in the firth. The note of the Long-tailed Duck is most peculiar, one of the local 
names of this species, “Coal and Candle-light,” being derived from a resemblance it is supposed to have 
to those Avords, Avhich the bird pronounces in a sing-song manner. The combined cries of a flock of 
these birds resounding over the scarcely audible ripple of the Avaves is exceedingly impressive Avhen 
heard during the hours of darkness on fine still nights, and is sure to attract attention Avhen listened 
to for the first feAV times. 
While punt-gunning at the Little Berry near Golspie in Sutherland early in March 1869, I found 
the Long-tails very numerous, flocks of from ten or a dozen up to a score often being observed fishing 
