87 



VELVET SCOTER. 



PLATE CXCIV. FIG. II. 



Anas fusca, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Oidemia fusca, FLEMING. SELBT. 



AUDUBON writes of this species, that they 'begin to form their nests 

 from the 1st. to the 10th. 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 the 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 six, but sometimes eight or ten in number, of 

 a uniform pale cream-colour, tinged with green. 



The males leave the females after incubation has commenced. 



A pair had bred on the same water for six or seven years in suc- 

 cession. The young did not quit the pond until they were able to 

 fly; as soon as that is the case the mother bird escorts them to the 

 sea. 



