234 
ANAS GLACIALIS. 
from the singularity of its cry, something' imitative 
the sound of those words, and also, that, when vert 
clamorous, they are supposed to betoken a southerly 
wind ; on the coa<st of New Jersey, they are usually 
called old wives. They are chiefly salt water diK'kt' 
and seldom ramble far from the sea. Tliey inhabit 
bays and coasts during the winter only ; are rarel/ 
found in the marshes, but keep in the cliannel, diviijy 
for small shell-fish, which are their principal food. ^ 
passing to and from the bays, sometimes in vast flofl'J 
particularly towards evening, their loud and confu'“' 
noise may be heard in calm weather at the distaur^ 
of several miles. They fly very swiftlv, take shoo 
excursions, and are lively restless birds. Their natit* 
regions are in the north, where great numbers of the** 
remain during the nhole year; part only of the 
family migrating south to avoid the severest rigours o* [ 
th.at climate. They arc common to the whole northe^ I 
hemisphere. In the Orkneys, they' are met with 
considerable flocks, from October to April; frequ'" 
in Sweden, Lapland, and Russia; are often found alio" 
St Petersburg, and also in Kamtsehalka. Are said 
breed at Hudson’s Bay, making their nest among 
grass near the se,i, like the eider duck, and about th' 
middle of June, lay from ton to fourteen bluish "'ha 
eggs, the size of those of a pullet. When the y<""lj 
are hatched, the mother carries them to the water 
her bill. The nest is lined with the down of her brfi'-'' ' 
which is accounted equally valuable with that of 
eider duck, were it to be had in the same quantity* , 
They are hardy birds, and excellent divers. Arc a j 
very common in England, coming there only in V*^';, 
severe 'vhiters ; and then but in small straggling j)arti*^‘*’I I 
yet are found on the coast of America as far south *' 
least, as tJiarlesfon, in Carolina, during the 
Their flesh is held in no great estimation, having a dstl- 
taste. Ihe down and plumage, particularly on f 
breast and lower parts of the bodv, are very abuoda®" 
and appear to be of tlie best quality. 
* Latham. 
