200 WILD-FOWL 



without onions and had probably maimed or lost a 

 valued servant-girl besides. 



THE SURF-SCOTER 



The surf-scoter is somewhat smaller than a mallard, 

 being nineteen inches long. It is appropriately dressed 

 in black and has a white spot, triangular in shape, on 

 its forehead. Why nature has placed this ray of purity 

 on the bird's head I never could imagine. Its disper- 

 sion is general. Its dispossession is difficult. By this 

 is meant it is hard to dispose of a second time to those 

 who have tried it; and the same may be said of the 

 other coots. 



This bird is often called "spectacled coot/* "bay 

 coot," and has other local names by which it may pos- 

 sibly deceive the unwary. 



THE WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 



Another bird dressed entirely in black, excepting the 

 speculum on the wing and a spot under the eyes, which 

 are white. This bird is also known as the white-eye and 

 white-winged coot, and has the same habits and tastes 

 as the others. It is a well-known bird along the coasts 

 and on inland lakes. Its range extends from the Arctic 

 Sea to Florida and Mexico. 



THE AMERICAN SCOTER 



This bird is entirely black. It is widely distributed 

 from the Arctic Ocean south to New Jersey, on the 



