228 ANATID.E. 



several males by themselves, about four miles distant from 

 the marsh, as we were returning to the harbour. This in- 

 duced me to believe, that, like the Eider and other ducks 

 that breed in Labrador, the males abandon the females as 

 soon as incubation commences. I regret that, notwithstand- 

 ing all my further exertions, I did not succeed in discovering 

 more nests or young birds. The female, which was killed as 

 she flew off from the nest, uttered a rough uncouth guttural 

 cry, somewhat resembling that of the Goosander, on similar 

 occasions ; and I have never heard any other sound from 

 either sex. The Surf Duck is a powerful swimmer and an 

 expert diver ; it is frequently observed fishing at the depth of 

 several fathoms ; and it floats buoyantly among the surf or 

 the raging billows, where it seems as unconcerned as if it 

 were on the most tranquil waters. I have never seen this 

 species on any fresh-water lake or river, in any part of 

 the interior, and, therefore, consider it as truly a marine 

 Duck." 



The adult male has the beak orange, with a square patch 

 of black on each side at the base of the upper mandible ; 

 irides straw yellow ; on the top of the head and on the back 

 of the neck, are two oval patches of white ; all the rest of the 

 plumage black ; legs and toes orange red, the membranes 

 brownish-black. The whole length twenty-one inches. From 

 the carpal joint to the end of the wing nine inches and a 

 quarter ; the first and second primary quill-feathers of equal 

 length, and the longest in the wing. 



The female differs from the male in having the plumage of 

 dull brown, which is lightest in colour about the cheeks and 

 under surface of the body ; the beak dark olive ; the feet 

 greyish-brown. According to the descriptions given, the 

 trachea of the Surf Scoter resembles that of the Velvet 

 Scoter as represented at page 21.5. 



