DUCK SHOOTING. 225 



The most propitious night for this sport is about 

 half moon, and strong wind ; the birds then fly 

 low, and their approach is easily known by the 

 whistling of their wings, and there own shrill cry ; 

 w r hence their coast-name of Hew. 



"They are subject to annual change of plum- 

 age. Mr. Ord mentions, that a few of these 

 birds breed annually in the marshes in the 

 neighborhood of Duck Creek, in the state of 

 Delaware. ATI acquaintance of the editor's 

 brought him thence, in the month of June, an 

 egg, which had been taken from a nest situated 

 in a cluster of alders." 



Next to the widgeon comes the black-head, or 



SCAUP DUCK. 



ANAS MAKILLA. 



Called the Blue-bill on the Delaware and the Black-head on the 

 Chesapeake. 



Description. " This duck is nineteen inches 

 in length, and twenty-nine in extent ; bill, broad, 

 generally of a light blue, sometimes of a dusky 

 lead color; irides, reddish; head, tumid, covered 

 with plumage of a dark, glossy green, extending 

 half way down the neck ; rest of the neck and 

 breast, black, spreading round to the back ; back 



