262 RING-NECKED DUCK.
darker, the back blackish-brown, the speculum bluish-grey, as in the
male, the breast brownish-white, the loral spaces and chin pale brown,
the abdomen umber brown.
Length 1 6 inches.
The Tufted Duck of Europe, Fuligula cristata, is very intimately
allied to this species. The bill of the latter is longer, narrower, and differently
coloured, the unguis broader at the end, as is the flat triangular
space at the base of the upper mandible. The bill of the Scaup Duck is
still broader towards the end, with a much narrower unguis, and the flattened
part of the upper mandible still narrower than in the Tufted Duck ;
the colour of the speculum is also different, being bluish-grey in the Ringnecked
Duck, and white in the two allied species. The females of the
Ring-necked and Scaup Ducks, which are nearly similar in colour, differ
in the speculum, and in the peculiar form of the bill.
( 263 )
THE SOOTY TERN.
STERNA FULIGINOSA, LATH.
PLATE CCXXXV. MALE.
EAULY in the afternoon of the 9th of May 1832, I was standing on
the deck of the United States1 revenue-cutter the Marion. The weather
was very beautiful, although hot, and a favourable breeze wafted us onwards
in our course. Captain ROBERT DAY, who stood near me, on
looking toward the south-west, ordered some person to be sent to the top
to watch the appearance of land. A young lad was instantly seen ascending
the rigging, and not many minutes after he had attained his post,
we heard from him the cry of " land." It was the low keys of the Tortugas,
toward which we had been steering. No change was made in the
course of the " Lady of the Green Mantle," who glided along as if aware of
the knowledge possessed by her commander. Now the light-house lantern
appeared, like a bright gem glittering in the rays of the sun. Presently
the masts and flags of several wreckers shewed us that they were anchored
in the small but safe harbour. We sailed on, and our active pilot,
who was also the first lieutenant of the Marion, pointed out to me a small
island which he said was at this season the resort of thousands of birds,
which he described by calling them " Black and White Sea Swallows,"
and again another islet, equally well stocked with another kind of Sea
Swallow, which he added were called Noddies, because they frequently
alighted on the yards of vessels at night, and slept there. He assured me
that both species were on their respective breeding-grounds by millions,
that the eggs of the first lay on the sand under bushes, at intervals of
about a foot, while the nests of the last were placed as thickly on the
bushes of their own chosen island. " Before we cast anchor," he added,
" you will see them rise in swarms like those of bees when disturbed in
their hive, and their cries will deafen you."
You may easily imagine how anxious I was to realize the picture ; I
expressed a wish to be landed on the island; but the kind officer replied,
" My good Sir, you will soon be tired of their incessant noise and numbers,
and will enjoy the procuring of Boobies much better." After various
tacks, we made our way through the curious and extremely danger