THE LONG-TATLED DUCK. 
149 
shot near the Long Strand. It is an adult female,, and agrees 
with Jenyns' description of that sex. The bill and legs are 
coloured as in the specimen of December 1837. Its stomach 
was about half filled with gravel and fragments of Mytili and 
Rissoce. October 31, 1840. Two of these birds were seen in 
company, to-day, off Adam's Point, one of which was killed and 
the other winged. They were remarked to be extremely expert 
at diving, — as much so as the golden-eye. The former was an 
immature male ; its stomach contained different species of Rissoa } 
small specimens of CeritJiium reticulatum , and fragments of stone. 
November 13, 1843. Two long-tailed ducks were shot in the bay 
in company with golden-eye ducks, the first time they have 
been observed here associated with any other species. On the 
18th of this month one was obtained at Adam's Point, in a dif- 
ferent (younger ?) state of plumage from any I had previously 
seen, and which proved on dissection to be a female. The 
stomach was filled with small Crustacea ( Gammariclce ) and tes- 
taceous mollusca ; — three of Nucula margaritacea and several of 
Rissoa ulvce. December 21, 1844. Two of these birds, which 
admitted of a close approach, were seen in the bay, at this date, 
and likewise for some days before, by Richard Plack. Just after 
having fired at godwits he pushed his boat over the spot where 
they had been, they having dived rather than take wing when the 
fowler thus came to close quarters with them. Neither was an 
adult male ; but a third one, seen with them, though not satis- 
factorily, from its always flying off when nearly approached, was, 
from that reason, believed to be an old bird. It always returned 
to the others when the alarm was over. October 21, 1847. A 
young male was shot near Ballymacarrett, and only the one seen. 
Its stomach contained Rissoa ulvce and the remains of shrimps 
( Crangon vulgaris'). December 27, 1848. A beautiful specimen 
of the adult male was shot in the bay. Coming under my in- 
spection when quite recent, I noted it as fully agreeing with 
Yarrell's description of the bird in this plumage, except in the 
following characters 
Bill : the nail, and half of the side of the upper mandible next its base, black, 
