AXATIX.F. — THE DL'CKS — FULIX. 



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The "Scaup Duck" of Great Britain — the "Blue-bill " of New England, t he ■■ Black- 

 head " of Long Island and Chesapeake Bay — is one of the most abundant and one of 

 the most widely distributed of its tribe. In North America, it occurs on the Atlantic 

 coast, the interior waters, and on the Pacific. In the latter it is found from Alaska 

 to Central America, in the interior from the Barren Grounds to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 and on the east from Greenland and Hud- 

 son's Bay to Florida and the West India 

 Islands. It is found throughout Europe 

 and Asia as far east as China and Japan. 

 It dues not appear to move farther south 

 than the north shore of the Mediterranean. 

 and is more northern than most of the 

 fresh-water Ducks. 



Dr. Walker mentions having obtained 

 several specimens of this Duck near Godt- 

 haab, on the coast of Greenland, and Profes- 

 sor Bernhardt states that two adult males 

 and a female of this species were sent to 

 Denmark from Xenortalik in 1860. Mr. 

 Boss met with this bird on Great Skive 

 Lake, and < laptain Blakiston obtained speci- 

 mens of it on Hudson's Bay. In the terri- 

 tory of the Hudson's Bay Company, as .Mr. 

 Kennicott states, it is known by the voycu- 

 geurs as the "Big Pall Duck"' (Gros < : 'nmi-<l 

 d'Automne). It was rather rare on tin 1 

 Yukon, but more common about the Slave 

 Lake. Although abundant on the west 

 coast, the main body appears to pass to the 

 northeastward, although not going so far 

 east as the Dusky Duck and the Bed-head. 

 It was supposed by Mr. Kennicott to breed 

 more toward Hudson's Bay; and he found 



its general habits to be very similar to those of the Fulix affinis, with which it asso- 

 ciates. It was ascertained to be abundant at Sitka, where it was obtained by -Mr. 

 Bischoff. Mr. Dall found it common on the Lower Yukon and on the sea-coast, 

 where it was one of the first of the Ducks to arrive in the spring ; and he obtained 

 its eggs near the mouth of the Yukon in the early part of June. He speaks of its 

 nest as being very rude — a mere excavation, with a few straws about it — and of the 

 bird as usually tough and lean, and but poor eating. This Duck was found by Mr. 

 R. Browne on the coast of Vancouver Island, and Richardson stales that it breeds 

 in all parts of the Fur Countries, from the 50th parallel t<> the most northern 

 limits. 



According to Dr. Cooper, this Duck, variously known as the " Broad-bill," the 

 "Blue-bill," and the "Shuffler," is common during the winter along the entire coast 

 of California, frequenting the salt bays and creeks, and occasionally going a short 

 distance up the more open rivers, in fresh water. It is said to feed on small shell- 

 fish, Crustacea, etc., for which it dives a good deal in very deep water, both by night 

 and day. Its stay in California is from October until April, when it leaves for the 

 Arctic Regions to breed. It utters a grunting noise, and occasionally a guttural quack. 



