92 VELVET SCOTER. 



VELVET SCOTER. 



PLATE CXCIV. FIGURE II. 



Anas fusca, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Oidemia fusca, FLEMING. SELBY. 



A UDUBON writes of this species, 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 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 succession. 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. 



