o 
LONG-TAILED DUCK. 
in the channel running into the harbour, and a few occasionally making their way to the saltwater 
loch at high water ; and here I procured some drakes in fine plumage. These birds fly with great 
speed, and I had excellent chances forjudging the pace when watching them from the shingle-hanks as they 
dashed up and down over the narrow channel leading to the harbour. IIow many feet it was neces- 
sary to hold ahead to ensure a successful shot it is hard to say, as the exact distance to be allowed in 
order to stop a bird at full spin was not arrived at till after repeated failures. I found all the Long- 
tail drakes in full winter plumage when visiting this interesting locality, in the second week in March 
1869, for a few days’ shooting, and after returning a month later I noticed the old drakes had undergone 
a considerable change. Many had assumed about half perfect plumage, while others were far advanced, 
and a few in quite full summer dress. In these stages they seldom made their way over the bar 
into the channel towards the harbour, but kept, as a rule, to the open firth at the distance of about 
a quarter of a mile from the shore, drifting down occasionally as far as Golspie. Velvet Scoters were 
also plentiful off this part of the coast, and the two species often intermixed while working up and 
down the firth : when alarmed, however, and put on wing they invariably separated, each following a 
course of its own. In order to make observations on the various stages of plumage exhibited by the 
drake Long-tails, I left the harbour in a large double gunning-punt and proceeded down the firth a 
mile towards the east, and our cruise having come to a successful termination, we were amply repaid 
for the risky start we were forced to make. The current over the bar ran strong, and the seas 
caused by the tide were somewhat lumpy ; but we reached the open firth without shipping a drop 
of Avater or receiving a sprinkle from the spray. Cork jackets and life-belts Avith a line and buoy 
for the punt-gun had, lioweA^er, been provided in case of a mishap. Adult drakes almost if not quite 
perfect, and some in less advanced plumage, Avere obtained, with one or two exceedingly handsome 
males of the Velvet Scoter. Coloured sketches also of the heads, beaks, and legs and feet of each Avere 
taken before Ave turned back, in order to reach the harbour with the flood. Having been folloAved by a 
fishing-craft Avith a strong creAV, aa^o Avere amply provided for in case of bad AA^eather setting in or squalls 
bloAving up unexpectedly from the Avild North Sea. 
Immature birds in considerable numbers as well as a few adults annually Avork their way south 
on the approach of Avinter, and take up their quarters off our eastern and southern coasts, for the most 
part selecting such situations over mussel-banks and other feeding-grounds that are suitable to Scoters 
and other diving ducks. On the 28th of November, 1879, AA'hile steaming along the shore and also 
through the gatAvays betAveen A’armouth, LoAvestoft, and on towards the south as far as Benacre and 
SoutliAvold, I met Avith se\’eral large flocks near each of the places mentioned. Common Scoters AA'ere 
by far the most numerous of the foAvl gathered off this attractive portion of the coast, though Velvet 
Scoters, Long-tails, and Goldeneyes Avere Avell represented, and one small party of three or four Scaup 
were sighted in the Ilam to the south of Gorlestone pier. The sprat-boats Avere making enormous 
hauls near the Pakefield gat as AA^ell as off Kessingland and Covehithe; thousands of Kittiwakes Avith a fcAV 
immature Pomatorhine Skuas in attendance Avere hovering round the nets ; but I doubt if the fish Avere 
any attraction to the ducks, as they Avere only observed diving for food over the banks. Every Avinter, 
Avhen spending any time at sea off that part of the coast, I have observed Long-tailed Ducks ; it is, 
hoAvever, only Avhen the Aveather is severe that they favour the fiat sandy shores to the Avest of Brighton 
in Sussex Avith a visit. In December 1879 and again in 1880 I remarked them in greater numbers than 
usual, and in the former year met Avith repeated opportunities for examining a handsome male Avho appeared 
in perfect plumage, Avith the exception that the tAVO long feathers of his tail Avere absent. I noticed hiui 
first on the 7th of December, and for a couple of months after that date he remained along the coast 
betAveen Shoreham and IV orthing, defying all attempts made to secure him hy shooters in open boats. 
