SURF SCOTER. 325 



half eighths in length, by one inch and five eighths in their 

 greatest breadth ; more equally rounded at both ends 

 than usual ; the shell perfectly smooth, and of a uniform 

 pale yellowish, or cream colour. I took them on board 

 along with the female, which was shot as she rose from the 

 nest. We saw no male bird near the spot; but in the 

 course of the same day met with several males by them- 

 selves, about four miles distant from the marsh, as we 

 were returning to the harbour. This induced me to be- 

 lieve, that, like the Eider and other Ducks that breed 

 in Labrador, the males abandon the females as soon as 

 incubation commences. I regret that, notwithstanding 

 all my further exertions, I did not succeed in discover- 

 ing more nests or young birds, The female, which 

 was killed as she flew off from the nest, uttered a rough 

 uncooth guttural cry, somewhat resembling that of 

 the Goosander, on similar occasions; and I have never 

 heard any other sound from either sex. The Surf Duck 

 is a powerful swimmer and an expert diver; it is frequently 

 observed fishing at the depth of several fathoms ; and it 

 floats buoyantly among the surf or the raging billows, 

 where it seems as unconcerned as if it were on the most 

 tranquil waters. I have never seen this species on any 

 fresh-water lake or river, in any part of the interior, 

 and therefore consider it as truly a marine Duck." 



The adult male has the beak orange, with a square 

 patch of black on each side at the base of the upper man- 

 dible ; irides straw yellow ; on the top of the head and 

 on the back of the neck, are two oval patches of white ; 

 all the rest of the plumage black ; legs and toes orange red, 

 the membranes brownish-black. The whole length twen- 

 ty-one inches. From the carpal joint to the end of the 

 wing nine inches and a quarter; the first and second 



