468 THE SCOTERS. 



in disposition inert and stupid. The male, according to 

 Pallas, is of a singularly amorous disposition ; and the female, 

 Ekstrom says, evinces so great a regard for her mate, that if 

 he is shot, she generally remains stationary ; or even should 

 she fly a short distance, she will presently return to the spot 

 to meet the same doom. 



This bird makes its nest near to the water, amongst high 

 grass and the like, and lays eight to ten yellowish- white, or 

 buff-coloured eggs, nearly three inches in length, by two in 

 thickness. 



The Black, or Common Scoter (Sjo-Orre, or Sea Black- 

 Cock, Sw. ; 0. nigra, Flem.), was common on the coast 

 during migration; some few, indeed, according to M. von 

 Wright, occasionally passed the summer there. It was said 

 that stragglers bred in the Wenern, but I will not vouch 

 for the fact. This bird nests mostly in the far north as 

 high up even as the borders of the Icy Sea where by all 

 accounts it is very plentiful. The velvet scoter, as observed, 

 breeds both on the coast and in the inland lakes ; but the 

 black scoter, Swedish naturalists tell us, only in the fresh 

 waters of the interior. It is common in Denmark during 

 migration. 



Though the velvet and the black scoter bear a considerable 

 exterior resemblance to each other, they differ materially in 

 many respects. The velvet scoter, as said, is clumsy and 

 heavy in appearance, and dull and stupid in disposition ; 

 whereas the black scoter is a sprightly and shy bird. It 

 flies rapidly, swims with great facility, and is constantly 

 diving either for amusement or food. 



The black scoter makes its nest under a bush, by the side 

 of a lake or stream, and lays eight to ten dirty yellowish- 



