BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 393 



resembling it, that it often has the honor of being sub- 

 stituted in the market, and sold for a similar price. They 

 breed in the fur countries, and make their appearance here 

 in October. Dr. Brewer tells me, that he has obtained these 

 birds in our State. Mr. Rennie, in his late edition of Mon- 

 tague's British birds, says that he has one of them in his pos- 

 session, which, as soon as it was caught, took to feeding on 

 oats, and is perfectly tame and healthy, at the end of a confine- 

 ment of three years. 



The Scaup Duck, Fuligula marila, is said to breed in the 

 fur countries, whence it returns at the approach of the cold 

 season, and is found on our sea coast and the great west- 

 ern rivers. It is said to derive its name from feeding on scaup, 

 or broken shell fish. Audubon says that he never found any por- 

 tion of testaceous mollusca in those which he examined, though 

 the birds might have found them in abundance, had they de- 

 sired them. They are common here in bays and fresh waters. 

 They are easily domesticated, but their flesh is of no value for 

 food. Audubon says that nothing but an epicure could eat 

 them with satisfaction. 



The Ring-necked Duck, Fiiligula riifitorques, is found in 

 autumn and winter on our Atlantic coast and our western wa- 

 ters. Its flesh is considered equal to that of any other duck, 

 in tenderness and flavor. Dr. Richardson speaks of finding it 

 in the fur countries, but gives no account of its nest. On its 

 return from the north, it is spread over the whole extent of the 

 Union ; but much more abundant in some states than in others. 

 Mr. Cabot obtained a specimen in Fresh Pond, and thus enabled 

 us to add it to the list of Massachusetts birds. 



The Golden Eye, Fuligula clangula, in an inhabitant of 

 northern regions, which comes from the fur countries, where it 

 breeds, and remains till it becomes difficult to obtain food. 

 In the winter, they are not uncommon in the United States, 

 but they return very early in the spring. While here, they 

 50 



