i54 BRITISH BIRDS. WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS 



and when in good condition lias no fishy flavour." Of course everything depends 

 on the local character of their chief food. 



The breeding range of the Scaup extends across the whole of Northern 

 Europe and Asia, from Scandinavia to the Pacific. It is very common in Iceland, 

 but more particularly in the northern parts of the island. A few nest in Fseroe, 

 and not improbably also a few pair in northern Scotland, further evidence, however, 

 is desirable. South of the Baltic and in East Prussia it is only known as a winter 

 visitor to the coast. In Transylvania it is not rare in winter and on migration; 

 its range extends to the Mediterranean. It has occurred in the Bay at 

 Gibraltar in the winter. Its occurrence in Sardinia is accidental, but in Corsica 

 it is said to be fairly common in winter. On the eastern side of the Mediterranean 

 it is much more common, also in Macedonia and the coasts of Asia Minor and Pales- 

 tine. According to Colonel Shelley it visits lower Egypt in the winter, remaining 

 there till May, and has once occurred as far south as Abyssinia. Great numbers 

 also winter on the southern shores of the Caspian; it is, however, not common 

 at this season in Persia or Northern India. The Scaup- Duck is one of the 

 commonest in the China markets ; especially abundant about Foochow ; also in 

 the Yangste river and the Corean coasts. A migrant to the Loochoo Islands, and 

 a common winter visitant to some parts of Japan, and about the latest to leave in 

 the spring ; here its winter range overlaps with Fuligula mariloides, a small 

 American form of doubtful specific distinction, and darker on the back than F. 

 marila. 



In America the Scaup-Duck, known as the Big Black-head or Blue-bill, and 

 identical with the European bird, ranges across the whole of the northern part of 

 that Continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Mr. Dall says it is one of the 

 first to arrive on the Yukon in the spring, and the eggs are got near the mouth 

 of the river early in June. When in good condition the bird itself is considered 

 in high estimation for the table. 



In the autumn Scaup- Ducks arrive in Chesapeake Bay about the end of 

 October, and are found in scattered parties all over the Bay. It is said to be one 

 of the very few Ducks able to dive and pull up the roots of Vallisneria, but other 

 Ducks, and especially the Wigeon, come in for the floating spoil. Scaup- Ducks 

 feed generally at night, and when they can get plenty of the aquatic grasses 

 become very fat, and are considered very good eating, and little inferior to the 

 Canvas-back. 



Dr. Hatch ("Birds of Minnesota") says, the Blue-bills come in the first rank 

 of the Duck hosts in late March. They fly in very close compact flocks, which, 

 however large, soon break up into small detachments. He considers them the 



