THE SCAUP DUCKS. 15 



Norway, 68 on the Yenesei, and 62 on the Pacific coast. In 

 winter it is found throughout Southern Europe and the Medi- 

 terranean countries, and it extends down the Nile Valley to 

 Abyssinia and Shoa. In the higher lakes of the latter countries 

 some apparently remain to breed. 



Habits. Although found on the coasts in winter, the Tufted 

 Scaup is much more of a fresh-water than a maritime Duck at 

 any season of the year, and is strictly an inland species during 

 the breeding-season. During the winter, too, it frequents in- 

 land lakes, where it is a shy and suspicious species, keeping 

 aloof from the resident Mallards of the locality, but associating 

 with the Wigeon in flocks, which keep well out of gun-shot in 

 the middle of the water. When swimming, the Tufted Scaups 

 show a great deal of their white breasts, and appear to sit lightly 

 on the water, while their crested heads are very distinctly seen. 

 They prefer lakes where there are reedy shores, rather than 

 those with bare or sandy banks. In India, Mr. Hume states 

 that he has seen as many as ten thousand together, covering the 

 whole of the centre cf the Kunkrowli Lake in Oodeypore. Like 

 the Pochards, they make a great noise when they rise by strik- 

 ing the water with their feet. "Their food," writes Mr. Hume, 

 " is more animal than vegetable. They constantly devour small 

 fish, and one finds every kind of water-insect, worm, grub, and 

 shells, small lizards, frogs, spawn, &c., in their stomachs. Still, 

 like the rest of the Ducks, they eat the leaves, stems, and roots 

 of water-plants freely, and I have several notes of birds which 

 had dined, or breakfasted, entirely off some white shining onion- 

 like bulb." The note is like that of the Pochards, a grating 

 " Kurr, kurr," but not so loud as in the last-named birds. 



Nest. Placed near the water in a tussock or hump of grass, 

 and made of sedge or grass lined with down. My friend Mr. 

 Robert Read tells me that in Scotland he has found the nest 

 amongst rushes and in open pastures amongst the grass ; in the 

 latter case the down is of great protective value, and the nest 

 might easily be mistaken for a patch of dried cow- dung. 



Eggs. Laid in May and June, varying in number from eight 

 to thirteen, ten or twelve being the usual complement. Mr. 

 Robert Read writes to me : "The last week in May and the 

 first week in June are the best times to look for the eggs. Nine 



