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It is no particular advantage to have a large flock come up to the 

 decoys, for the instant you rise to fire, they scatter in all directions, 

 so that it is difficult to get over two in range ; when a flock swims 

 up to^ou, as it occasionally happens, of course greater havoc is 

 made. It passes the night on the flats in large flocks, seldom or 

 never roosting on the marshes or meadows, and is very quick in 

 discovering the best feeding grounds. In passing through the nar- 

 row ' leads,' (as the gunners term the narrow creeks and channels 

 that form those beautiful islands in our wide bays, ) to its favorite 

 feeding grounds, it is easily killed without decoys. It returns to 

 us early in the spring, and remains until the mild weather invites 

 its vernal flight. When in good condition, its flesh by many is 

 esteemed. In flying it seldom makes any other noise than that 

 produced by the action of its wings ; but in calm weather when 

 swimming leisurly about, it gives utterance to a quick rattling or 

 rolling sound. Its migratory flight is high and rapid. In winter 

 it is common on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and their tributa- 

 ries. In the Chesapeake Bay, where it is abundant, it is called 

 " Black-headed," in Virginia, " Raft Duck." 



FULIGULA MINOR. 



LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 



Fuligula marila, Aud. 



Specific Character — Length of bill along the gap two inches ; of 

 tarsi one inch and an eighth ; from the point of the bill to the end 

 of the tail feathers seventeen inches ; wing eight inches. Adult 

 with the feathers on the head longer, more tufted, than F. marila ; 

 the head and neck more deeply tinged with purple ; the white 

 markings on the wings confined to the secondaries, while in F. 

 marila the white band spreads over the primaries. 



The female is smaller than the male, and bears the same re- 

 semblance in markings to the male as the female of F. marila 

 does to the male of that species. The white band on the wings as 

 pointed out is at all times the best specific character. 



