SCAUP DUCK. 355 



Mantua creek; but the most noted spot appears to be the cove 

 which extends from Timber creek to Eagle Point, and known 

 by the name of Ladd's cove. Thither the Blue-bills repair in 

 the autumn, and never quit it until they depart in the spring for 

 the purpose of breeding, except when driven away, in the win- 

 ter, by the ice. It is no uncommon circumstance to see many 

 hundreds of these birds at once constantly diving for food; but 

 so shy are they, that even with the aid of a very small, and 

 well-constructed skiff, cautiously paddled, it is difficult to ap- 

 proach them within gunshot. So very sagacious are they, that 

 they appear to know the precise distance wherein they are safe; 

 and, after the shooter has advanced within this point, they then 

 begin to spread their lines in such a manner that, in a flock of 

 a hundred, not more than three or four can be selected in a group 

 at any one view. They swim low in the water; are strong feath- 

 ered; and are not easily killed. When slightly wounded, and 

 unable to fly, it is almost hopeless to follow them, in conse- 

 quence of their great skill in diving. Their wings being short 

 they either cannot rise with the wind, when it blows freshly, 

 or they are unwilling to do so, for they are invariably seen to 

 rise against the wind. In a calm they get up with considerable 

 fluttering. 



The Blue-bills when disturbed by the fishermen along the 

 Jersey shore, in the spring, resort to other feeding places; and 

 they are frequently observed a short distance below the Phila- 

 delphia Navy-yard, particularly at the time when their favourite 

 snail-shells begin to crawl up the muddy shore for the purpose 

 of breeding. Though often seen feeding in places where they 

 can reach the bottom with their bills, yet they seldom venture 

 on the shore, the labour of walking appearing repugnant to 

 their inclinations. When wounded they will never take to the 

 land if they can possibly avoid it; and when compelled to walk 

 they waddle along in the awkward manner of those birds whose 

 legs, placed far behind, do not admit of a free and graceful 

 progression. 



