THE PATCH-HEAD COOT 403 



save when migrating, at which time they often 

 rise to a considerable height. 



Their food consists of shell-fish, sea-weeds, 

 and small fish. Their meat is dark, and except 

 when it is from a young bird can scarcely be 

 considered eatable. 



This is perhaps the most common duck of the 

 Atlantic coast. 



THE PATCH-HEAD COOT. 



(Oidemia perspicillata.) 



Next of the Scoters in point of numbers is the 

 *' Patch-head Coot," also called ''Horse-head," 

 ** Goggle-nose, " "Skunk-head," and other 

 equally romantic and euphonious titles. This 

 species is fairly abundant on the eastern coast 

 of North America, going farther south dur- 

 ing the winter months than does either of 

 the other two. They are not uncommon in 

 Florida, are found in the Great Lakes, and are 

 also abundant on the Pacific coast. 



This bird breeds throughout the interior in 

 high latitudes and all along the northern coast 

 of the continent. 



The male in breeding plumage is glossy black, 



