424 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



diving in quest of small shell-fish, sea insects, mollusca and 

 marine vegetables. 



The Scoters, whose origin, like that of the Barnacles, 

 was supposed to be derived from certain shells in rotten 

 wood originating in Scotland, have hence derived their pe- 

 culiar name ; but besides the Scottish Islands, they are 

 found in Lapland, Norway, Russia and Siberia, as well as in 

 the present continent. They usually fly low, almost touch- 

 ing the surface of the sea, but they swim and dive with 

 peculiar ease and swiftness. 



According to M. Baillon, from the months of November 

 to March, the north and north-west winds bring along the 

 coasts of Picardy prodigious flocks of Scoters, so that the 

 whole sea for a considerable space appears covered with 

 them. They are then seen flying incessantly from place to 

 place by thousands ; they appear and disappear in the water 

 every minute, and as soon as one of them dives, the whole 

 eager troop imitate the motion, and soon after emerge to the 

 surface. When the southwardly winds, however, begin to 

 blow in the month of March, they all disappear at once 

 from the coast. 



The fishermen, taking advantage of their habit of diving 

 for food, catch the Scoters in great numbers in their nets, 

 which are spread out over the beds of shell-fish they are 

 observed to frequent. The nets are thus supported horizon- 

 tally at the height of two or three feet from the bottom ; and 

 at the flowing of the tide remain concealed. The Scoters, 

 approaching as usual at the reflux of the water in great 

 numbers, dive afl;er their prey, and are soon entangled 

 in the snare ; in such numbers that 20 or 30 dozen have 

 sometimes been taken in a single tide. These fishy fla- 

 vored birds, and a few others of similar character, being 

 exempt from the ecclesiastical interdict, on the sage suppo- 

 sition that they rank among cold-blooded animals, are sold 



