VELVET SCOTER 



PLATE CXCIV. FIGURE II. 



Anasfusca, .... PENNANT. MONTAGU. 

 CEdemia fusca, .... FLEMING. SELBY. 



THIS regular winter visitor breeds occasionally in Scotland. 

 Writing of this species in America, Audubon says 

 that they "begin to form their nests from the ist to the 

 loth of June. The nests are placed within a few feet of 

 the borders of small lakes, a mile or two distant from the 

 sea, and usually under the low boughs of bushes, of the 

 twigs of which, with mosses and various plants matted 

 together, they are formed. They are large and almost 

 flat, several inches thick, with some feathers of the female, 

 but no down." 



The eggs are usually eight or ten in number, of a 

 uniform pale cream-colour. 



The males leave the females after incubation has com- 

 menced. 



