THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 137 



inches in size. They breed in the far north and in the 

 winter go south as far as the Carolinas. They are common 

 off the New Jersey coast from October to late in April and 

 are seen occasionally on large rivers. The flesh is tough 

 and inedible. 



Scoter, White-winged, or White-winged Coot. 



Similar to the American Scoter, but three inches longer; 

 bill, one and a half inches long, orange black. There is a 

 white spot below the eye and a large white spot on each 

 wing. The female is a slaty brown, lighter below and with 

 white feathers near the base of the bill. They nest on 

 the ground, under bushes, frequently some distance from 

 water. The eggs are from six to ten in number, of a pale 

 yellow, and two and one-third by one and four-fifths 

 inches in size. They breed in the far north and in winter 

 travel south as far as Chesapeake bay. They are seen off 

 the coast of New Jersey, more frequently in the middle 

 of winter. Their flesh is tough and inedible. 



Sea Dove. See Little Auk. 

 Shag. See Cormorant. 



Shearwater, Sooty, or Black Jffagdon. This is a 

 strictly sea bird, seen frequently on the fishing grounds 

 off the New Jersey coast, especially in winter. It is a 

 swift flyer and. dives into the water for its prey; it is par- 

 ticularly active during storms when the agitated surface 

 of the water gives it better opportunities for seeking its 

 prey. It occasionally visits the shore . It is about seventeen 

 inches in length and its bill is one and two-thirds inches 

 in length, with nostrils tubular, like those of the Petrel; 

 whole plumage sooty gray, somewhat lighter below. 

 Nothing is known about its breeding. 



Shetldrake. See American Merganser and also Red- 

 breasted Merganser. 



