580 BRITISH BIRDS. 



it is not known to breed south of the Hudson's Bay Territory, but is found 

 in winter on the great lakes in the interior, on many of the rivers, and on 

 both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States, Mexico, and Cen- 

 tral America. Small examples from the American continent (measuring 

 in length of wing | inch less than small European examples, and 1^ inch 

 less than large European examples) have been described as distinct under 

 the name of Fuligula affinis ; but as the two supposed forms intergrade in 

 size, and are not known to differ on the American continent in their geo- 

 graphical distribution, it seems premature to regard them as subspecifically 

 distinct. 



Although the Scaup is a Sea-Duck, it is by no means exclusively so ; even 

 in winter it is occasionally seen on fresh water, and in summer it retires 

 some distance inland to breed. We found it not uncommon on the lakes 

 on the tundra near the limit of forest-growth, both in the valley of the Pet- 

 chora and in that of the Yenesay. Like most other Ducks, except perhaps 

 the Long-tailed Duck, they were very shy, and we seldom obtained a good 

 view of them, unless we could find a side of the lake where a few birches 

 and willows made sufficient cover to hide our approach : then sometimes 

 we got charming peeps of groups of Ducks of various species, floating half 

 asleep under the southern sun, or lazily preening their feathers just out of 

 easy gunshot. Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, and Scanp associated amicably 

 together, and on one occasion we watched a Swan which had joined a 

 similar party. The Scaup is most active when the sun shines from the 

 north ; that seems to be its favourite feeding-time ; and then its loud, harsh 

 scream may be heard, as the drake calls to his mate to leave her eggs 

 covered warmly up in a blanket of down, and to come away from her snug 

 nest among the bilberries on the adjacent bank-side and join him on the 

 lake, or perhaps have a swing down the river to the delta to pick up any- 

 thing that may be left on the strand at low tide. Of all the cries of the 

 Ducks that have come under my notice, I think that of the Scaup is the 

 most discordant. None of them are very musical, perhaps ; but if you ima- 

 gine a man with an exceptionally harsh, hoarse voice screaming out the word 

 scaup at the top of his voice, some idea of the note of this Duck may be 

 formed. It is said that when this harsh note is uttered the opening 

 of the bill is accompanied with a peculiar toss of the head. The ordinary 

 alarm-note during flight is a grating sound like that made by the Tufted 

 Duck. 



The Scaup is a very gregarious and sociable bird. In winter it is almost 

 always seen in flocks, frequently associated with other Ducks, and in summer 

 small parties are constantly seen coming to and going from their feeding- 

 grounds. When alarmed they generally seek safety by diving, but if they 

 find themselves obliged to take wing they get up from the water, one after 

 another, with a great splash ; but once fairly launched in tlie air, they seem 



