SCAUP-DUCK 127 
weather of January, 1881, Mr. W. J. Willams observed 
several Scaup-Ducks some miles from the mouth of the 
river Liffey, Dublin, and the birds did not seem to be dis- 
turbed by the din of the city traffic. They were so tame 
that Mr. Williams was able to procure a specimen! with a 
catapult, the projectile being a large grain of shot. Sir Rh. 
Payne-Gallwey remarks that this species is not heedful of 
loud noises at sea, such as the fog-bell. 
At ebb-tide, Scaup-Ducks will rest for many hours on 
the sand-bars of low-lying coasts, unless they be repeatedly 
disturbed. When a large number of these birds are 
approached and they become suspicious of danger, they 
begin to divide into smaller companies, which radiate from 
one another in all directions. The habit is very character- 
istic of Sea-Ducks. 
When the danger is past, the birds come together again 
and form a great and densely-crowded mass; these, in turn, 
are often joined by other flocks, so that after a little time 
all the Scaup-Ducks in the immediate neighbourhood may 
occupy a patch on the sea several acres in extent. 
Flight.—This species is slow in taking flight, and being 
heavy in build, it usually flutters along the surface of the 
water before rising on the wing. 
When swimming it may be distinguished by its white 
sides and grey back. 
Voice.—-The note is hoarse and unmusical, and resembles 
the syllables scawp-scaup-scaup, often repeated. 
Food.—-The Scaup is an expert diver, feeding from the 
floor of the sea on crabs, shell-fish and seaweeds. 
Nest.—It generally breeds near fresh water, in some 
cases on islands in lakes. The nest, formed chiefly 
of dry grass and weeds, is as a rule situated in coarse 
herbage, or among loose stones. The eggs, six to eleven 
in number, are greenish-butf or greenish-grey. 
Several assertions regarding the nesting in Scotland 
have not been proved; however, in June, 1902, Mr. Harvie- 
Brown received and identified a nestling Scaup, ten days 
old, taken from one of the Outer Hebrides south of the 
Sound of Harris (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1902-3). 
Geographical distribution—Abroad, this Duck breeds in 
the Arctic and Sub-arctic regions of Europe, including 
! This specimen, which is preserved in the collection of Mr. Williams, 
was killed on January 19th, 1881, opposite the Four Courts, Dublin. 
