ANSEJiES. 



( 126 ) 



ANA TIDM. 



THE COMMON SCOTER 



BLACK SCOTER, BLACK DUCK, SURF DUCK. 



(Edemia nigra. 



On dit d'un hotnme S7ir lequel on 7ic pent compter: "II rcssemble a une macrense; 

 il nest 7ii chair ni poisson." 



French Proverb. 



The Common Scoter is a winter visitor, which is seen in 

 flocks off the coast of the county, but seldom on the inland 

 waters. I have noticed it several times on the Tweed, at 

 Paxton, during winter. Two specimens were observed on 

 the lake at Duns Castle, by the gamekeeper there, on the 

 11th of March 1887, and the same number on the 25th of 

 October following. 



It feeds on shell-fish, which it obtains by diving, and 

 its flesh has a strong fishy flavour ; hence the French proverb 

 quoted above. The plumage of the male is wholly black. 





