68 



VELVET SCOTER. 



PLATE CXCIV. FIG. II. 



Anas fusca, . . . Pennant. Montagu. 

 Oidemia fusca, . . . Fleming. Selby. 



AuDUBOjg writes of this species, that they "begin to 

 form their nests from the 1st. to the 10th. of June. The 

 nests are placed within a few feet of the borders of 

 small lakes, a mile or two distant from the sea, and 

 usually under the low boughs of the bushes, of the twigs 

 of which, with mosses and various plants matted together, 

 they are formed. They are large and almost flat, several 

 inches thick with some feathers of the female, but no 

 down." 



The eggs are usually six, but sometimes eight or ten 

 in number, of a uniform pale cream-colour, tinged with 

 green. 



The males leave the females after incubation has 

 commenced. 



A pair had bred on the same water for six or seven 

 years in succession. The young did not quit the pond 

 until they were able to fly; as soon as that is the case 

 the mother bird escorts them to the sea. 



