120 FULIGULA MAKILA. 



" During the summer months," says Montagu, " when the 

 larvee of various insects arc to be found in the mud at the 

 bottom of the pond, these birds are continually diving ; but 

 they are perfectly contented with barley, and are become so 

 tame as to come to the edge of the water for a bit of bread. 

 Of all the aquatic birds we have had, that have been taken 

 alive from their natural Avild habits, none have appeared so 

 familiar as the Scaup; and after feeding a few days Avith 

 bread soaked in water, they take to eating barley freely." 



Variations. — Great differences are observed in the size 

 of individuals of both sexes ; but the colours of the males 

 vary little, some, however, having much more white on the 

 back than others. 



Young. — When fledged, the young nearly resemble the 

 female. The male has the upper part of the head and neck 

 dark brown, the fore part of the neck above variegated Avith 

 brown and greyish-white ; a band of white, mottled Avith 

 broAvnish-black on the fore part of the head; the upper 

 parts dull brown, undulated Avith greyish-Avhite ; the Avings 

 and tail as in the adult ; the loAver fore-neck and part of the 

 breast dark broAvn, lunulated Avith greyish-Avhite, the stiffish 

 terminal margins of the feathers being of the latter colour ; 

 the rest of the breast dull Avhite ; the sides, abdomen, and 

 loAver tail-coverts greyish-brown ; the loAver Aving-coverts 

 grey, but the axillars Avhite. The females are similar, but 

 Avith little of the greyish-Avhite lines on the upper parts. 



Remarks. — The description of the male is from a fine 

 specimen obtained in Edinburgh, in the beginning of 

 January, 1841. Some reference requires to be made heie 

 to the American Fuligula mariioides. A bird purchased 

 several years ago in Leadenhall Market has been considered 

 by Mr. Yarrell and Mr. Henry Doubleday as of this so-called 

 species, the distinctness of Avhich from the common Scaup- 

 Duck is, hoAvever, extremely doubtful. Young individuals 

 of that species that I have examined differ in no respects 

 from the one described and figured bv jNlr. Yarrell. 



