COMMON SCOTER. 479 



were heard passing overhead and continued most of the 

 night, many being bewildered and flying against chimney 

 pots and houses. At the Railway Station they were immolated 

 against the telegraph wires and several were picked up on the 

 following morning, one porter securing as many as seventeen. 

 It was calculated that, in all, one hundred and fifty had 

 been taken, the majority of which were males. The migration 

 continued on the 25th, and on the 26th the fowl were heard 

 passing over for two hours between eight and ten o'clock 

 {Zool. 1880, p. 355). 



As an article of food the Scoter is not held in high esteem, 

 being decidedly rank and fishy in taste unless properly cooked ; 

 George Allan remarked (Allan MS. 1791 ; Fox's " Synopsis," 

 p. 98), that " The Catholics are allowed to eat them in Lent." 

 As a sporting bird, when in large packs, it affords excellent 

 practice, comparable even to grouse-driving, with the additional 

 difficulty of a rocking boat to take into consideration. I have 

 at times enjoyed capital shooting amongst the Black Ducks 

 over the Redcar Scars by putting out decoy birds to attract 

 the wild ones within range. As is well known, the Scoter can 

 carry off a heavy charge of shot, and, even when knocked 

 down and apparently helpless, a wounded bird has an annoying 

 trick of diving if a spark of life remains, and so often baffles 

 the shooter, for it is practically useless to pursue one under 

 these conditions, while if hard pressed it will even cling to the 

 rocks or seaweed and commit suicide by drowning. On 

 several occasions, after a day's shooting over the rocks, 

 dead birds have been found at low tide with wings firmly 

 clasped round a stone, or holding on by the bill to a piece of 

 seaweed. 



The local vernacular names are Black Duck or Black Scoter, 

 in general use ; and Mussel Duck in the Humber. 



