SURF SCOTER 



291 



the birds are most abundant during October and April. All 

 three species occur as more or less regular migrants on large 

 inland ponds, — as at Dublin, N. H., — and in the valleys 



Fig. 84. Surf Scoter 



of the Connecticut and the Hudson, especially in the au- 

 tumn. In suminer a few barren birds linger along the coast, 

 particularly in Maine. 



Scoters feed over the shallows, even when the surf is 

 breaking, diving till they reach the beds of shellfish, on 

 which they feed. Early in the morning, or when changes 

 in the wind or tide make them restless, they fly low over 

 the water in large or small flocks ; at other times they 

 gather over the feeding-grounds, and dive and reappear 

 steadily. 



When on the wing, the following species, the White- 

 winged Scoter, is readily distinguished from the other two, 

 which show no white in the wing. Even when a flock is 

 feeding, individuals frequently stand for a moment and 

 shake themselves, their outspread wings at such a time often 

 settling their identity. To distinguish the Surf Scoter from 

 the American Scoter, it is necessary to make out the patch 



