ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 21 



roosting on the marshes or meadows; and they readily discover the best feeding- 

 grounds. 



When in good condition this Duck is very highly esteemed for the table. In flying 

 it rarely utters any note, but when swimming leisurely about in calm weather it is 

 said to give utterance to a quick rattling or rolling sound. In its migrations its flight 

 is high and rapid. It is common in the winter on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and 

 their tributaries. 



In Chesapeake Bay, where it is very abundant, it is more generally known as the 

 "Black-head," and in Virginia it is called the "Eaft Duck." A writer in "Doughty's 

 Cabinet " (I. 41) says the Black-heads arrive on the Chesapeake about the last of 

 October, and rapidly distribute themselves over the Bay. This is one of the very few 

 Ducks that are able to dive and pull up by the roots the Vallisneria plants on which 

 it feeds. Other Ducks share in the spoils, especially the Baldpate, which, though of 

 inferior size, is able, by its address and boldness, to rob both this species and the 

 Canvas-back of the fruits of their labors. On the Chesapeake, where the Blue-bill 

 feeds exclusively on the ValUsiierift ov other aquatic plants, it becomes very fat. Its 

 flesh is tender and juicy, and entirely free from the strong fishy taste acquired in 

 other localities. This bird feeds chiefly by night. 



According to Yarrell, the Scaup Duck is a very late winter visitor to Great Britain, 

 seldom appearing until the beginning of November, and arriving, in small flocks, on 

 various parts of the coast, and at the mouths of rivers, but rarely visiting inland 

 waters. It prefers low flat muddy shores, where it is pursued by the wild-fowl 

 shooters in gun-punts, and is occasionally caught by fishermen in upright nets, fixed 

 in curving lines on stakes in shallow bays. It feeds on small fish, mollusca, aquatic 

 insects, and marine plants, and is not in request for the table, as its flesh becomes 

 coarse, dark in color, and fishy in flavor. Being very expert in diving, it obtains the 

 greater part of its food in this way. It rises slowly from the surface of the water, 

 and usually against the wind, and flies at a moderate speed. 



Colonel Montague kept Ducks of this species in confinement many years. They 

 held apart from the other Ducks, and both sexes made the same grunting noise, and 

 had the same singular toss of the head, in performing which they at the same time 

 open the bill. 



In spring this Duck departs to countries north of the Orkneys to breed, and there 

 is only a single instance recorded of its breeding in Scotland. This was in Suther- 

 landshire, in June, 1834, and was observed by Sir W. Jardine. 



Mr. Proctor, who found this bird breeding in Iceland, states tha.t it lays its eggs 

 either among the aquatic herbage or the large stones near the edge of fresh Avater, 

 making little or no nest. A quantity of down usually covers the eggs, which are 

 from five to eight in number. An egg brought from Iceland by INIr. Proctor is 

 described by Yarrell as being of a uniform clay-brown color, 2.37 inches in length 

 by 1 .63 in breadth. 



This species was found breeding on the Yukon River by 'My. J. Lockhart ; on Big 

 Island in Slave Lake by Mr. J. Reid; at Port Rae by Mr. L. Clarke ; at Lake Winni- 

 peg by Mr. Donald Gunn ; at Pastolik, Kutleet, Nulato, and on the Island of St. 

 Michael's by Mr. Dall ; and at Sitka by Mr. P. Bischoff. 



Eggs in the Smithsonian Collection from the Yukon (No. C617) are of a pale 

 olive-gray, varying in length from 2.55 to 2. GO inches, aud have an average breadth 

 of 1.70 inches. 



