6o6 THE LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 



danger may threaten, but on the Oberlin water-works reservoir, which lies 

 within the village residence section, they are not usually disturbed at the 

 presence of people standing all about the embankment on Sundays. During 

 the season of migration they rarely occur singly, but in flocks of from five 

 to over a hundred individuals. 



Early in the season, during early April, most flocks contain a smaller 

 number of females than males, but near the close of the migrations the females 

 predominate. The early flocks contain about twenty percent of females, 

 the later ones not more than that percent of males. I have never yet seen 

 a flock wholly composed of one sex. Often other ducks associate with the 

 Scaups on the smaller ponds, particularly the Greater Scaups, but in flight 

 the tendency is strong for each species to go its own way alone. 



Since the Scaups are sea and bay ducks, they are excellent divers, and 

 feed well below the surface of the water. While they remain upon the 

 Oberlin water-works reservoir there is not so much fishing as resting. Appar- 

 ently the flocks have learned that the place is secure from danger, because 

 small flocks remain for hours passively floating upon the water with the head 

 turned back, resting upon the shoulders. They scarcely even notice the pass- 

 ing trains, nor people upon the embankment. The purplish-black head and 

 neck, and black breast of the males contrasts strongly with the almost pure 

 white sides and wing speculum. Often the bluish bill shows white in reflec- 

 tions, making the head appear cut away in front. The plain brownish-drab 

 females are often puzzling to many people, but the white patch at the base of 

 the bill should be a mark for certain identification, even if there should be no 

 males present in the flock. 



For three summers a pair of these birds has made its nest in the 

 vicinity of Oberlin, making the reservoir the base of supplies. The nest has 

 not been found, to be sure, but the birds make daily visits to the reservoir 

 all summer long, and in the fall pay it a farewell visit with the whole brood. 

 It seems more than likely that a few pairs nest in the northern parts of the 

 state each summer. Most of those which pass us in the migrations spend 

 the summer many miles north of Ohio. 



The nest seems to be placed at the edge of running water, in thick grass, 

 rushes, or weeds, slightly sunken, and lined with dry grasses and the down 

 from the mother bird's breast. It is not a well-made nest, but is sufficient 

 to contain the dozen eggs. The birds flush only when danger threatens near at 

 hand, when they get up quickly and are away at great speed. The eggs are a 

 darker drab than is usual with ducks' eggs. 



LYNDS JONES. 



