BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



'43 



France a Scoter. The name Macreuse indicates that the bird may, on account 

 of its fishiness, be eaten in Lent, an amusing bit of ecclesiastical humor. 



Although the American Scoter is the least common of the three Scoters, 

 a few general remarks may be given here, as the habits of the three are much 

 alike. During the summer months a few Scoters are always to be found off the 

 shore, and although these can swim and dive perfectly well, it is probable that a 

 certain proportion are unable to fly, are in other words "cripples" from the 

 winter's shooting. The rest are non-breeding or barren birds. The largest 

 number of Scoters I have seen in summer was a flock of fifteen on July 17th, 

 1904, most of them White-winged, with two Surf Scoters. Perhaps these were 

 early migrants. Early in September, the adults begin to come from the north 

 in numbers, the young, especially of the Surf Scoter, arriving during the last 

 week of that month. During October they pour along the coast in great num- 

 bers, keeping off the shore in pleasant weather, and sometimes going inland in 

 stormy weather. Thus on October 9th, 1900, in a heavy northeast wind and 

 rain, Dr. Phillips reports a flight between 8 and 1 1 a. m., of at least 300 Scoters 

 over Wenham Lake. Only six, however, descended to the surface, and after 

 resting two hours continued on their way. In this weather they fly low over 

 the beach, a habit that is frequently taken advantage of by gunners, as has 

 already been described (page 26). 



Although Scoters fly most in stormy weather, and are often found quietly 

 feeding on calm days, still they sometimes go south in great numbers even in 

 pleasant weather. This flight is greatest in the early morning, but may con- 

 tinue all day. At times flock succeeds flock as far as the eye can see, off the 

 beach at Ipswich. Occasionally four or five exclusive ones go along together, 

 but usually the flocks are much larger, up to five or six hundred. These sweep 

 along at times in one long line close to the water. Anon they press together in 

 a compact and solid square. Again they spread out into a long line abreast, or 

 form a V, and at all times they rush along with iiresistible energy. On reaching 

 the angle at Annisquam where Cape Ann juts out boldly, the birds are often at 

 a loss what to do. Sometimes they fly first one way and then another, rising 

 higher and higher all the time, and then strike out towards the end of the Cape, 

 over which they resume their southerly course at a considerable height. 

 Another flock will turn at the angle without pausing and skirt the shore around 

 the Cape. Again, a flock will pause and fly high at the angle, then along the 

 coast, soon to descend to the original height above the water and round the end 

 of the Cape. All these are methods commonly adopted. Occasionally a flock 

 will get discouraged on reaching the solid barrier of the Cape, will turn back 

 and drop into the water to talk it over. All this shows the dislike of the Scoter 

 to fly over the land. Many of these observations on the Scoters as well as on 



