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down, and with fifteen or twenty boats, form a line about two or 

 three gun-shots apart. In this way it is difficult for a flock to avoid 

 one or the other of the boats. Those used for this purpose are light 

 skiffs, containing generally but one person, as the object is to have 

 the boats light, in order that they may ride the waves with safety. 



This manner of shooting should be practised only by experienced 

 baymen, for if the wind comes in suddenly from the south, as some- 

 times happens, it causes the surf to rise — on such occasions, even 

 the most skilful are occasionally drowned. 



In Water Fowl shooting, a very general error is practised in 

 using too heavy lead. I have noticed it particularly with this spe- 

 cies, having often seen the bird strike the water, coloring it for a 

 space with blood, yet still dive and swim off vigorously. This may 

 be accounted for by the large shot lacerating the flesh in such a 

 manner, that when it escapes the vitals, the bird is relieved by 

 bleeding. Lighter lead makes a smaller wound, which instantly 

 closes, thus depriving it of such relief. When using smaller shot, 

 you have also a better chance for hitting your mark, as a larger 

 number of pellets is contained in the same weight. 



The flesh of the Velvet Duck is not esteemed, being dark color- 

 ed and fishy, although large numbers are sold in our markets. 

 Common to both continents, and is said to lay from eight to ten 

 white eggs. 



FULIGULA PERSPICILLATA— LINN, 



SURF DUCK. 



Anas perspicillata, Wilson. 



Fuligula perspicillata, Bonap. 



Oidema perspicillata, Surf Duck, Sw. & Rich. 



Black or Surf Duck, Nuttall. 



Surf Duck, Fuligula perspicillata, Audubon. 



Specific Character — Bill reddish-orange, paler at the sides and 

 tip ; a patch of black at the sides of the base of the upper mandible, 

 where it is very broad and high ; nostrils large, perfectly free, and 



arched ; the upper part of the upper mandible as far as the nostrils, 



42 



