TUFTED DUCK. 
FULIGULA CRISTATA. 
This hardy diving-duck is to be found in every part of the British Islands I have visited, from north to 
south, usually resorting to fresh or brackish water when in quest of food, the lochs of the Highlands, 
the lakes and reservoirs of the midland as well as the broads of the eastern counties forming its favourite 
resorts ; to the pools in the shingle-hanks and the estuaries intersecting the mudflats in Kent and 
Sussex it is also occasionally driven in severe weather during the winter gales. The Tufted Duck has 
little beyond the handsome plumage of the drake when in full winter dress to recommend it, as for the 
table this species, whether old or young, is rank and unpalatable. 
While staying for the punt-gunning at Tain, on the shores of the Dornoch Firth, in the winters of 
1868 and 1869, I remarked that the hocks of Tufted Ducks took their departure about the end of March 
from Lochs Shin and Slyn as well as the other large pieces of fresh water on which they were usually to 
be found after the beginning of November. 
Early in November 1871 these birds, for the most part in immature plumage, were exceedingly 
numerous on Hickling Broad and Heigham Sounds in the east of Norfolk. Not needing any, unless 
tine old drakes as specimens, I had refrained from molesting them, till at length about half a dozen 
that happened to be intermixed with Pochards and Coots were stopped by a shot with the punt-gun on 
the Sounds. IVhile collecting the cripples a mishap occurred 'which, though meiely causing slight damage 
to the punt, might have been attended by serious consequences. Having tired the big gun, I sculled up 
to collect the slain, and on arriving within range of several lively cripples, a 12-l)ore breech-loader was 
made use of and speedily put a stop to all attempts to escape. The whole, with the exception of one or 
two that dived off towards the recd-beds, having been accounted for, the shoulder-gun was recharged and laid 
down so as to be within reach of the right hand while working the craft. INIy attention was then turned 
to collect those floating around ; while picking up three or four drifted together under the bows of the 
punt, the retriever (until now curled up under the stern deck) drew up, and by some means, probably 
through her stepping on the triggers, one barrel of the 12-bore was discharged, the shot passing under my 
arm as I knelt on the bottom boards, and blowing a round hole in the side of the punt. As I had left 
my station at the butt of the gun and crawled up to the beam of the fore deck in order to reach the 
birds, there was little blame to be attached to the poor old creature*, who doubtless imagined she was 
merely doing her duty in following my movements. Since this occurrence I have, however, never taken 
a dog afloat in a gunning-punt when working up to fowl, and fully intend to follow the same rule for 
the future. While on Hickling Broad on the 7th of November, 1871, I sighted a drake in handsome 
plumage in company with half a dozen immature birds. Being anxious to secure the adult male, the 
punt-gun was fired, and the whole party turned over, apparently dead, to the shot. On nearing the spot, 
* The retriovcT refeiTed to was “ Nell,” frequently mentioned in the pages of ‘ Rough Notes.’ 
