94 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



mouth, and another at the interval of an inch ; it then bends 

 largely down to the breast-bone, to which it adheres by two 

 strong muscles, and has at that place a third expansion. It 

 then becomes flattened, and before it separates into the lungs, 

 has a fourth enlargement, much greater than any of the former, 

 which is bony and round, puffing out from the left side. The 

 intestines measured six feet; the stomach contained small 

 clams and some glutinous matter ; the liver was remarkably 



THE VELVET DUCK. 



Fulignla Fusca. — Vulgo, White- Winged Coot. 



This species is very abundant along the coasts of the Atlantic, 

 from Georgia westward to Nova Scotia. It is a very indiffer- 

 ent bird, tough and fishy ; but it is so hard a bird to kill that its 

 slaughter is considered a test of skill among fowl-shooters, and 

 it is on that account somewhat eagerly pursued. 



" This* and the preceding are frequently confounded together 

 as one and the same species, by our gunners on the sea-coast. 

 The former, however, ditfers in being of gi-eater size ; in having 

 a broad band of white across the wing ; a spot of the same 

 under the eye ; and in the structure of its bill. The habits of 

 both are very much alike; they visit us only during tlie winter; 

 feed entirely on shell-fish, which they procure by diving ; and 

 return to the northern regions early in spring to breed. They 

 often associate with the Scoters, and are taken frequently in the 

 same nets with them. Owing to the rank, fishy flavor of its 

 flesh, it is seldom sought after by our sportsmen or guimers, and 

 is very little esteemed. 



" The Velvet Duck measures twenty-three inches in length, 

 and two feet nine inches in extent, and weighs about three 

 pounds; the bill is broad, a little elevated at the base, where it 



* In Wilson's Atiierican Oriiitholo^fy the American Scoter — Fuligula Ame- 

 ricana — immediately precedes his notice of the Velvet Duck. 



