SHOVELLER-SHOOTING. 201 



They come to our coasts in small numbers every winter, and may 

 often be found near the shore or in shallows, but seldom in deep 

 water, unless wounded ; and in that case, if pursued, they make for 

 the deepest places at hand. 



THE VELVET DUCK. 



]^Ana.s fusca.^ 



Most wild-fowl shooters have occasionally met with these birds. 

 Ihey are of little use when killed; but very trying- to the sportsman's 

 skill : if he pursues them they dive with remarkable facility ; and, 

 rather than fly, will trust to their under-surface powers ; never taking' 

 wing- till very hard pressed. 



They are almost exclusively a sea-bird, and are seldom seen inland, 

 except during- the heaviest g-ales, when they come no farther from 

 the coast than possible, but accept the nearest refug-e ; and that only 

 as a temporary retreat. 



The flesh of the velvet duck is of no estimation ; but their black, 

 soft plumag-e is very beautiful. 



THE SCAUP DUCK. 



[^Fulig^da mwrila.'] 



This is a species which is always to be found, in hard winters, up 

 almost every river and arm of the sea on the coast. They are most 

 frequently in little doppings of six or eig-ht ; and are by no means 

 diflicult of access, though very active divers. They g-ive preference 

 to oozy rivers rather than sandy bottoms, but never travel far from 

 the sea. The sportsman will frequently be tempted to make shots 

 with his punt- gun at these birds. 



Their food consists of Crustacea and mollusca ; obtained by diving-, 

 in which art they are very expert. 



They arrive late in the season, and appear to prefer the eastern 

 coast, where in some seasons they are very numerous. 



THE SCOTER OR BLACK-DUCK. 



\_Anas nigra.'] 



These are well known to every wild-fowl shooter on the coast, 

 from the smack's cabin-boy down to the practised gunner. They 



