Sea and Bay Ducks 



eiders, and other sea ducks, where they congregate above beds of 

 shell fish ; and, at least while in the United States, the habits 

 of all these birds appear to be identical. But they are as shy 

 of men as if their breasts were covered with more desirable 

 meat, and dive when approached rather than take to wing and 

 expose their precious ugliness to an unoffending field-glass. 

 Human friendship is discouraged by them, however much their 

 long list of common names, which are as often applied to one 

 species as another, falsely testifies to their popularity. 



Ridgway describes their nests as on the ground, near water, 

 and containing from six to ten pale dull buff or pale brownish 

 buff eggs. 



The White-winged Scoter or Coot (Oidemia deglandi), 

 which is sometimes called Velvet Duck, differs from the preced- 

 ing in plumage only, in having a white patch under the eye, 

 a white mirror, or speculum, on wings, and orange-colored legs, 

 much the same shade as its protuberant bill, which is feathered 

 beyond the corners of the mouth. Possibly it goes farther away 

 from water than the other scoters to place its nest under a bush 

 on the ground, but the habits of all three species appear to be 

 generally the same, and like those of nearly all sea ducks. 



The Surf Scoter, or Sea Coot (Oidemia perspicillata), has a 

 square white mark on the crown of its head and a triangular one 

 on the nape, to distinguish it from its sombre and rather uninter- 

 esting relatives. 



Ruddy Duck. 



(Erismatura rubida) 



Called also SPINE-TAILED DUCK ; SALT WATER TEAL ; 

 DUN BIRD 



Length 15 to 17 inches. 



Male In summer : Crown of head and nape glossy black ; chin 

 and sides of head dull white ; neck all around and upper 

 parts and sides of body rich reddish brown ; lower parts 

 white, with dusky bars ; wing coverts, quills, and stiff- 

 pointed tail feathers darkest brown ; head small ; neck thick. 

 Bill, which is as long as head, broader at tip ; wings very 

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