THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 137 



inches in size. They breed in the far north and in the 

 winter go sonth as far as the CaroUnas. They are common 

 off tlie New Jersey coast from October to late in April and 

 are seen occasionally on large rivers. The flesh is tough 

 and inedible. 



Scoter^ Jl'hitf'-triiiiiefL or IfhitC'irintiCff Coot. — 



Similar to the American Scottn-, but three inches longer; 

 bill, one and a half inches long, orange black. There is a 

 white spot below the eye and a large white spot on each 

 wing. The female is a slaty brown, lighter below and with 

 white feathers near the base of tlie bill. They uest on 

 the ground, under l)ushes, frequently some distance from 

 water. The eggs are from six to ten in nund^er, of a pale 

 yellow, and tw^o and one-third by one and four-fifths 

 inches in size. They breed in the far north and in winter 

 travel south as far as Chesapeake bay. They are seen off 

 the coast of Xew Jersey, more frequently in the middle 

 of winter. Their flesh is tough and inedilile. 



Sea MPove. See Little Auk. 



Sha^, See Cormorant. 



Sheavival('i\ Sooty ^or Ulark Iiitt;fton. — This is a 

 strictly sea bird, seen fre(iuently on the fishing grounds 

 off the New Jersey coast, especially in winter. It is a 

 swift flyer and dives into the water for its prey; it is par- 

 ticularly active during storms when the agitated sui-face 

 of the water giv^es it better opportunities for seeing its prey. 

 It occasionally visits the shore. It is about seventeen 

 inches in length and its bill is one and two-thirds inches 

 in length, with nostrils tubular, like those of the Petrel; 

 wliole plumage sooty gray, somewhat lighter below. 

 Nothing is known about its breeding. 



SiH'tlitrakv. See Ameriean Mergausei- and also Red- 

 breasted Mei'ganser. 



