SCAUP DUCK. 
429 
sun, though it was now past midnight. It seemed quite 
a paradise for water-birds. A red-throated diver just 
shewed its neck above water at the further side; several 
pairs of red-necked phalaropes were Hitting about, and 
an arctic tern was sitting on a bare islet apparently on its 
eggs. My cloak was soon full of air, and as I floated 
lightly among the rising weeds, the thought of the savage 
yet inspiriting scene I had just passed through, increased 
the pleasure of the present. I only wanted some one 
who could properly appreciate it to enjoy it with me- 
Paddling from islet to islet I first found a phalarope’s 
nest on a tuft well raised above the water, whilst the 
fairy-like birds were swimming in perfect confidence close 
to my side, then I had to encounter a fierce attack from 
the pair of terns. The divers eggs were on a low rushy 
clump, and the bird came nearer to me in my extra¬ 
ordinary turn-out than ever a wild diver did before; even 
when it rose upon the wing it soon settled in another part 
of the pond. At last I found the Scaups in a little islet 
to itself where there was long withered grass, the two 
eggs lying without any nest, and as yet without a par¬ 
ticle of down. Another with only a single egg was found 
in an island, to which a man waded. It was on the 16th 
of June/' 
