SCAUP DUCK. 427 



According to Blasius, this Duck has been known to breed 

 in one instance on the Hiddensee, in Brunswick ; but on 

 the shores and inland waters of the Continent south of the 

 Baltic, it only occurs, as a rule, in winter and on migration, 

 becoming rare in the western portions of the Mediterranean, 

 although not uncommon in the east, and in the Black 

 Sea. Considerable numbers winter in Egypt, and Von 

 Heuglin saw a pair in Abyssinia. It breeds abundantly 

 in northern Russia, and throughout northern Siberia as 

 far as the Pacific, migrating southwards to northern India, 

 Lake Baikal, Dauria, China and Japan. In North America 

 this species is abundant and widely distributed, being found 

 on the coast and the interior wateis from the Pacific to 

 the Atlantic. Its breeding-range appears to be north of 

 the 50th parallel ; its migrations extending southwards to 

 Mexico and the West Indian Islands. According to Dr. 

 Bryant, immense flocks, covering acres of water, are some- 

 times to be seen off the Bahamas. In the Chesapeake, 

 where it feeds on the vallisneria grass, it becomes very 

 fat, the flesh being then tender and juicy, entirely free 

 from the strong fishy taste acquired in other localities. In 

 Greenland the Scaup is of rare occurrence. 



In North America, occupying about the same area as our 

 bird, is found a smaller form — of doubtful specific distinct- 

 ness — known as the American or Lesser Scaup Duck, 

 Fuligula affinis, Eyton {F. mariloides, Vigors). Under the 

 impression that a Duck obtained in the London market, by 

 the late Mr. Henry Doubleday, belonged to this species or 

 race, the identical specimen was figured in former Editions 

 of this work, under the name of the American Scaup. This 

 example, which is now in the collection of Mr. F. Bond, is 

 believed by that veteran ornithologist, and by other com- 

 petent naturalists, to be a hybrid between the Scaup and the 

 Pochard ; but whatever it may be, it is certainly not the 

 American Scaup. The illustration of this specimen is given 

 on the following page. 



In the adult male the bill is pale blue ; in form, narrowest 

 at the base, dilated considerably towards the point, being 



