SCAUP DUCK 299 



The Lesser Scaup Duck is a common migrant off Long 

 Island and in the lower Hudson Valley, occurring in Sep- 

 tember and October, and in February and March ; in New 

 England it is less common, and appears generally in the au- 

 tumn, often in company with the following species. It oc- 

 curs both on the coast and in inland ponds. It is doubtful 

 whether it occurs in winter, though the Greater Scaup is 

 common at that season. The two species resemble each 

 other very closely, but may be distinguished in good light 

 and at close range by the color of the head, which is pur- 

 plish in the Lesser, greenish in the Greater. (See following 

 species.) 



Scaup Duck ; Blue-bill. Aythya marila 



$ 18.50. 9 17.50 



Ad. $. — Head, neck, upper back, and breast black, the head 

 and neck showing greenish reflections in strong light ; middle of 

 back white, marked with narrow wavy black lines; speculum 

 white ; a white stripe along wing when spread, lower belly and 

 sides pure white ; under tail-coverts black ; bill blue-gray ; legs 

 and feet lead-color. Ad. 9 • — Black of $ replaced by brown ; 

 region around base of bill white • wings brown ; speculum and 

 stripe in extended wing white ; under parts not so pure white ; 

 bill and feet as in $. 



The Scaup or Blue-bill is a common migrant along the 

 coast of Xew York and New England in March and April, 

 and in October and November ; it is usually an abundant 

 winter visitant in Long Island Sound, and occurs in winter 

 at least as far north as Massachusetts Bay. Like the other 

 sea ducks it occurs on large inland rivers and on fresh- 

 water ponds near the sea. Blue-bills often occur in very 

 large flocks, and when alarmed they swim toward a common 

 centre, forming a compact bunch, which then swims away 

 from the disturbing factor. They fly in a characteristic wav- 

 ing line, showing a stripe of white along the outstretched 

 wing. The male may be known by his black head, neck, 



