Birds of Britain 

 THE SCAUP DUCK 



Fuligula marila (Linnaeus) 



Breeding in the far north of Europe this species visits 

 us in considerable numbers during the winter, feeding on 

 molluscs, Crustacea, and small fish, which are plentiful on 

 our low, flat, alluvial shores. It goes about in large flocks, 

 and although obtaining much of its food by diving, it is 

 also fond of feeding on the soft ooze left bare by the re- 

 ceding tide. The note is a harsh " scaup." 



It is only during the last two or three years that it has 

 been proved beyond doubt to nest in a particular locality 

 in Scotland, where it is strictly preserved. 



The nest is placed among stones or rough grass near 

 some pool or mere, and the eggs, which are pale greenish 

 grey, are usually about ten in number. 



The male has the whole of the head, neck, breast, and 

 upper parts black, the mantle being thickly vermiculated 

 with white. Under parts white ; bill greyish blue ; eyes 

 pale yellow ; legs bluish. The female has those parts which 

 are black in the male dull brown, and the vermiculations 

 on the back are very scanty. There is a white band round 

 the base of the bill. The young resemble the female, and 

 immature Drakes do not acquire their full plumage for two 

 or three years. Length 19 in.; wing 8 '5 in. 



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