THE BUFFLEHEAD 355 



brush and comb, with the same changeable vio- 

 let and green sheen to the feathers. 



Formerly a most abundant species here and 

 on account of its small size seldom molested by 

 the gunners, of late it is very rarely seen, and 

 would, in the present scarcity of game, hardly 

 receive the consideration which it once enjoyed, 

 although its flesh is not so good as it might be. 



It is a wary little bird with much of its larger 

 relative's good sense and caution, like the 

 "whistler," setting a sentinel over the flock as 

 it feeds, diving at once if alarmed, putting a 

 safe distance between itself and pursuit before 

 coming again to the surface, then instantly tak- 

 ing wing and off like a flash. On the seacoast 

 they feed contentedly among the breakers and 

 near the rocks, seeming to like such places bet- 

 ter than the smooth waters, probably because 

 the waves are tossing plenty of food about. 



The breeding and nesting season finds the 

 most of them in the north, where by quiet 

 stream or sedgy pond they make their nest, in- 

 differently on the ground or in a dead stub, 

 with its hollow lined with feathers and grass, 

 and all is ready for the eggs. The broods range 



