PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 261 



sands ; rarely occurs inland. A migration was observed in the early night hours 

 of 24th, 25th, and 26th April 1879 over Skipton-in-Craven, Yorkshire (cf. Clarke, 

 Zoologist, 1880, p. 355). [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. In the British Isles the most usually chosen site is a 

 hollow in water-logged moorland among heather, sometimes on islets, but in a dry 

 spot and frequently at a considerable distance from water. Sometimes it is 

 sheltered by a low bush, but more usually well hidden among long heather and 

 other moorland vegetation. The nest-hollow is scantily lined by the duck with a 

 few bents, dead leaves, heather twigs, etc., and is plentifully supplied with down. 

 The down is rather dark brownish, showing indistinct light centres, but no light 

 tips. (PI. U.) The nest feathers are figured byH. Noble (Brit. Birds, ii., pi. 2, 

 fig. 15), and are variable, many being greyish or whitish tipped with brown, 

 but in this case the appearance of the eggs alone is sufficient for identification. 

 They are, as a rule, from 5 to 8 in number, rarely 10 or 11, and in appearance 

 are large, rather pointed oval in shape, and pale buff to warm cream in colour. 

 Average size of 70 eggs, 2-57x1-75 in. [65-4x44-6 mm.]. (PI. S.) In Scotland 

 the eggs are rarely found before the beginning of June, often not till nearly the 

 middle of the month, and in Lapland from about mid-June onward into July. 

 Incubation is performed by the duck only, and, according to Hantzsch, lasts for 

 four weeks. Only one brood is reared in the season, [p. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. During the winter months the scoter is almost entirely marine 

 in its habits, and feeds chiefly on marine Mollusca, especially the common mussel, 

 Mytilus edulis. These are swallowed, according to Naumann, up to 1*38 in. in 

 length. Cockles (Cardium edule) and other small molluscs are also eaten (F. S. 

 Mitchell), and remains of small bivalves have also been noted by T. E. Gunn. 

 Mr. G. Bolam has found chiefly sandhoppers, an occasional shrimp, and quantities 

 of sand. Mr. A. C. Chapman records an instance in which these ducks were seen 

 to feed on grain from a wrecked ship, and Gatke mentions a similar instance, while 

 Naumann found in young birds many remains of a water-plant, probably 

 Polygonum amphibium. The same writer also states that worms, small fish, and 

 insects form part of their diet. During the breeding season, on fresh water, they 

 no doubt subsist largely on fresh-water Mollusca. Sand for digestive purposes is 

 usually found in the stomach. The young are tended by the duck only, and 

 probably feed chiefly on small molluscs. [F. c. R. J.] 



VOL. IV. 2L 



