146 With Rod and Gun in New England 



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very rapid, and it is a bird that is rather shy and difficult of approach. It 

 is a good diver, and rarely comes to decoys. I have found it on the 

 Schoodic lakes in Maine in considerable abundance. It associates with 

 other species, particularly the scaup-duck or blue bill." 



" The little butter-ball cluck is often a delicious morsel," said the 

 Judge, " but its table virtues were undiscovered by most gunners until a 

 comparatively recent date." 



" It is a genuine tit-bit," added the Doctor, " although it sometimes 

 becomes as unpalatable as some of the other sea-ducks." 



" Yes," said I, " it is a pretty little duck, particularly in the spring 

 plumage. It is called the Clausula albeola, and gunners know it as the 

 1 buff el-head,' ' dipper,' and ' butter-ball.' It associates with many of the other 

 species of ducks on our coast, and feeds with them in the creeks and on 

 the flats, subsisting on small fishes and crustaceans. It is an expert diver, 

 and in the water it is difficult to shoot, as it dives instantly at the flash of 

 the gun. It is very quick on the wing, and when several birds are together 

 one always remains on the surface while the others are below in search of 

 food. I have shot it in many of the bays and inlets of our coast, and 

 have taken a number in ponds and other waters in the interior of New 

 England. In taking flight, it rises against the wind like many of the other 

 ducks, and knowing this fact, I have in old times been pretty successful in 

 shooting it from a sailing yacht." 



" Did you ever eat an 'old squaw ' " ? asked the Judge. 



"Oh, yes," I replied, "but it is no better on the table than the coots. 

 In my younger days it used to be very abundant in Massachusetts bay, and 

 many a fine bag have I obtained there. It is known among scientists as 

 the Harclda glacial is, and among gunners as the ' old wife,' ' old squaw,' and 

 ' south southerly.' It is a hardy bird, and is with us often through the entire 

 winter. It is naturally very timid, and keeps such vigilant watch that it is 

 usually difficult of approach. It is one of the most expert of divers, and 

 on the wing is a difficult bird to shoot ; when wounded it goes to the 

 bottom, and remains there until it dies. It is not a desirable table bird, 

 and as it is very handsome and odd looking, it should be spared like the 

 gulls and terns, as an interesting feature of life on our coast." 



"The coots are still abundant on our shores," said the Judge, "and 

 it is pretty exciting sport shooting them when they come to decoys. I have 

 had no end of pleasant outings among them." 



" Oh, yes," said the Doctor, " in the absence of better game they 

 have their attractions for gunners. There are three species, as all sports- 

 men know." 



" Yes," I added, " they are the butter-bill coot, or the American scoter, 

 Pelionetta pcrspicillata, sometimes called the surf duck, the white-winged 



