36 



near the spot where the bird was last seen. My search was at last suc- 

 cessful, for on getting directly over where the bird was I could look down 

 and distinctly see it holding on to the rockweed at the bottom with its 

 bill. After observing it for a time I took one of my oars and aiming it 

 at the bird sent it down. I soon dislodged it, still alive, and captured it. 

 I have often seen these birds, when wounded and hard pressed, dive 

 where the water was 40 to 50 feet deep and not come to the surface again. 

 I therefore feel confidence in stating that it is no uncommon occurrence 

 for them under such circumstances to prefer death by drowning to cap- 

 ture. This they accomplish by seizing hold of the rockweed at the bottom, 

 holding on even after life has become extinct. 1 



Female. Male. 



WHITE- WINGED SCOTER (Oidemia deglandi). 

 (From "Game Birds, Wild-Fowl and Shore Birds.") 



It is not an uncommon occurrence for Scoters of all species, when wounded, to dive, hold on to 

 vegetation at the bottom with the bill, and die there. 



Mr. W. E. Clyde Todd of the Carnegie Museum at Pitts- 

 burgh quotes Bacon as follows: 



I once wounded a duck of this species [Lesser Scaup] in shallow water, 

 and wading out to where I saw it last, I found it holding to a strong 

 weed by its bill two or three feet below the surface, stone dead. 2 



Mr. Samuel E. Bacon, who is responsible for this statement, 

 is referred to often by Mr. Todd, who regards him as a con- 

 scientious observer of large experience. 



1 Auk, Vol. VIII, 1891, pp. 282-283. 



2 Todd, W. E. Clyde: "The Birds of Erie and Presque Isle, Erie County, Pennsylvania.' 

 Annals, Carnegie Museum, Vol. II, No. 1, 1903, p. 521. 



