THE LONG-TAILED DUCK. 
257 
THE LONG-TAILED DUCK. 
Fidigula glacialis. 
CALLOO. 
Witli tlie exception of the Mallard, the Long-tailed Duck 
is hy far tlie commonest of all the Anatidcc which visit 
Shetland; and to those eyes which can recognise beauty in 
the absence of gaudy colouring, it is certainly the most 
attractive in appearance. 
It arrives regularly, in small flocks, late in September or 
early in October, remains throughout the winter upon all parts 
of the coast, never resorting to fresh water, and about the 
middle of March begins pairing and making ready for its 
northward flight, which, however, does not take place until 
the second week in ^ April ; even then it is very unusual indeed 
for the whole to leave. In Unst at least I have seldom failed 
in my search for a pair or two. I have received eggs from a 
person who has made several tours in these islands, and who 
has assured me that he took them during one of his excursions. 
They certainly agree very closely with both flgures and 
descriptions of the eggs of the Long-tailed Duck, but my own 
most careful observations seem to forbid the idea that it breeds 
here. The only other case in which the eggs have probably 
been found in Shetland is thus recorded in the This by Mr A. 
G. More, in his very useful and accurate account of the 
“Distribution of Birds in Great Britain during the Nesting 
Season — 
“ In 1848 two eggs were given to the late Mr John Wolley 
in Shetland as those of the “ Calloo Duck ” (the local name for 
Ilarelda glacicdis), witli a positive assurance that they had 
been taken on a low holm in that group of islands. So far as 
can be determined from their appearance, there is notliing to 
cast a doubt on the accuracy of the information; and as it 
came from a respectable and disinterested person, that gentle- 
man believed it. I am, however, not aware of any corroboration 
