BLACK, OR SURF DUCK. 417 



shell-fish, for which while on our coast they are almost 

 perpetually diving. They begin to migrate southward from 

 their northern resorts in company with the Long-Tailed 

 Ducks (Fuligula glacialis,) at which period the flocks halt 

 both on the shores of Hudson's Bay, and on the lakes of 

 the interior, as long as they remain open, feeding on tender 

 shelly mollusca. 



The Surf Duck or Sea Coot breeds also along the shores 

 of Hudson's Bay and in Labrador,* and is said to make a 

 nest of grass, lining it with down or feathers, and lays from 

 4 to 6 white eggs, which are hatched in the month of July. 

 They select the borders of fresh-water ponds for their eyries, 

 on which the young are fed and protected, until they are 

 nearly ready to fly.t Although they extend their migrations 

 to the coast of Florida, they often continue along all the 

 shores and open bays of the Union throughout the winter ; 

 or, at least parties go and come during the greater part of 

 the period. Early in May, or the close of April, they are 

 again seen bending their course towards the north. They 

 are shy birds to approach, but can be decoyed by imitative 

 wooden ducks of the same general appearance. Their 

 flesh, however, remarkably red and dark when cooked, is 

 very fishy, and has but little to recommend it; the young 

 birds are somevvhat superior in flavor, but the whole are of 

 little consequence as game, though often eaten by the 

 inhabitants of the neighboring coasts. 



Length about 2 feet; the wing 9^ inches; the bill above, 1 inch 

 4^ lines; the tarsus 1 inch 3 lines. Male; velvet-black, with a red- 

 dish reflection. Throat brownish. A broad white band between 

 the eyes, and a triangular patch of the same on the nape. Bill 

 reddish-orange, the nail paler; a square black spot on the lateral 

 protuberance. Legs orange, the webs of the feet brown. The bill 

 much like that of the following species (F. fusca,) but the lateral 



* Audubon in lit. f Audubon. 



