either in small ccjiiipanies consisting exclusively of its own species, or associated 

 in large Hocks of other species, and such, I believe, has been the experience of most 

 other observers. The ring-neck has no fondness for salt water, but is pre-emi- 

 nently a fresh-water species. Like other members of the genus it is an excellent 

 diver, and where wild celery is to be had, gets its share of the coveted grass. In 

 point of excellence for the table it may be ranked with the two scau|)s, but does not 

 equal the redhead or canvas-back. 



Great Scaup Duck {Mariia mariia) 



Range: lireeds from .\lculian Islaiuls, northwestern Alaska, Great Slave 

 Lake, and central Keewatin south to southern liritish Columbia and northern 

 North Dakota; winters from Maine to Florida aii<l tin- Bahamas, and from 

 Aleutian Islands, Nevada, Colorado, and Lake (Ontario south to southern Cali- 

 fornia, southern New Mexico and southern Texas. 



Both on the east and west coast the scaup duck is emphatically a bay or 

 estuary species and prefers salt or brackish water. I'ormcrly it frequented such 

 localities in flocks of thousands, often associated with the lesser scaup from which 

 it is not readily distinguishable at a distance. Notwithstanding the fact that both 

 scaups breed chiefly in the far North, their numbers have been greatly depleted 

 of recent years, and the immense rafts that formerly used to gladden the heart 

 of the sportsman are things of the past. The greater scaup used to winter in great 

 numbers in the estuaries of the Gulf States, and in the troubled waters of Lake 

 Borgne. In heavy gales, I have seen "rafts" of bobbing, black heads that appa- 

 rently extended for miles. Even in those days (1871) the scaup had learned 

 wisdom, and in open water it was only with great difficulty that a shot was to be 

 obtained from skilT or sail boat. As the craft approached nearly within range 

 the birds rose in dense masses and settled down a safe distance ahead, to repeat 

 the performance till the patience of the sportsman was exhausted. Both scaups 

 are expert divers, and are formidable competitors of the canvas-back and redhead 

 in their quest for the rootstocks of wild celery. In the interior their food is much 

 hke that of other ducks, and many of the insects, snails, and other food they eat, 

 including wild rice, are obtained without the trouble of diving. 



857 



