SCAUP-DUCK 127 



weather of January, 1881, Mr, W. J. Williams observed 

 several Scaup-Ducks some miles from the mouth of the 

 river Liffey, Dublin, and the birds did not seem to be dis- 

 turbed by the din of the city traffic. They were so tame 

 that Mr. Williams was able to procure a specimen 1 with a 

 catapult, the projectile being a large grain of shot. Sir E. 

 Payne-Gallwey remarks that this species is not heedful of 

 loud noises at sea, such as the fog-bell. 



At ebb-tide, Scaup-Ducks will rest for many hours on 

 the sand-bars of low-lying coasts, unless they be repeatedly 

 disturbed. When a large number of these birds are 

 approached and they become suspicious of danger, they 

 begin to divide into smaller companies, which radiate from 

 one another in all directions. The habit is very character- 

 istic of Sea-Ducks. 



When the danger is past, the birds come together again 

 and form a great and densely-crowded mass ; these, in turn, 

 are often joined by other flocks, so that after a little time 

 all the Scaup-Ducks in the immediate neighbourhood may 

 occupy a patch on the sea several acres in extent. 



Flight. This species is slow in taking flight, and being 

 heavy in build, it usually flutters along the surface of the 

 water before rising on the wing. 



When swimming it may be distinguished by its white 

 sides and grey back. 



Voice. The note is hoarse and unmusical, and resembles 

 the syllables scaup-scaup-scaup, often repeated. 



Food. The Scaup is an expert diver, feeding from the 

 floor of the sea on crabs, shell-fish and seaweeds. 



Nest. It generally breeds near fresh water, in some 

 cases on islands in lakes. The nest, formed chiefly 

 of dry grass and weeds, is as a rule situated in coarse 

 herbage, or among loose stones. The eggs, six to eleven 

 in number, are greenish-buff or greenish-grey. 



Several assertions regarding the nesting in Scotland 

 have not been proved ; however, in June, 1902, Mr. Harvie- 

 Brown received and identified a nestling Scaup, ten days 

 old, taken from one of the Outer Hebrides south of the 

 Sound of Harris (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1902-3). 



Geographical distribution. Abroad, this Duck breeds in 

 the Arctic and Sub-arctic regions of Europe, including 



1 This specimen, which is preserved in the collection of Mr. Williams, 

 was killed on January 19th, 1881, opposite the Four Courts, Dublin. 



