1S53.] Mackay, f/ah/ff. of ///I' Sro/crs. 283 



clear and not more than twelve or titteen feet in depth, I rowed 

 along carefully, looking continually into the water near the spot 

 where the bird was last seen. My searcli was at last successful, 

 for on getting directly over where the bird was I could look down 

 and distinctly see it holding on to the rockweed at the bottom 

 with its bill. After observing it for a time I took one of my oars, 

 and aiming it at the bird sent it down. I soon dislodged it, still 

 alive, and captured it. I liave often seen these birds, when 

 wounded and hard pressed, dive where the water was forty to fifty 

 feet deep, and not come to the surface again. I therefore feel 

 much confidence in stating that it is no uncommon occurrence for 

 them under such circumstances to prefer death by drowning to 

 capture. This they accomplish b}' seizing hold of the rockweed 

 at tlie bottom, holding on even after life has become extinct. I 

 have also seen all three species when wounded dive from the air, 

 entering the water without any splash. All are expert divers, it 

 requiring considerable experience to retrieve them when wounded. 



I have noticed during the spring migration northward in April 

 that frequently the larger flocks of the vSnrf Scoter are led by an 

 old drake. That the selection of such a leader is a wise precaution 

 has frequently been brought to my notice, for on first perceiving 

 such a flock coming towards me in the distance, they would be 

 flying close to the water ; as they neared the line of boats, although 

 still a considerable distance away, the old drake would become 

 suspicious and commence to rise higher and higher, the flock 

 following him, until the line of boats is passed, when the tlock 

 again descends to the water. When over the boats shots are fre- 

 quently fired up at them, but so well has the distance been calcu- 

 lated that it is seldom a bird is shot from the flock. 



While each species, during spring migration, prefers to keep 

 separate from the others, I have at times noticed flocks which had 

 a few stragglers of the other kinds mixed with them, and have 

 seen stray birds join flocks not of their own kind. Thev, how- 

 ever, soon appeared ill at ease, frequently leaving the flock l)efore 

 passing from view. 



All three varieties when flying directly overhead at an elevation 

 of about one hundred and thirty yards, can be called or whistled 

 (by blowing through the tingers placed in the mouth) down to 

 within ten or fifteen yards of the water, though never into it ; but 

 it requires one whose eyes and hands work in most perfect accord 



