96 



LAMELLIUOSTUAL SWIMMERS — ANSEliES. 



almost exclusively the salt water in the open bays and the outer beaches, very nively 

 appearing on the fresli ponds, and only on those near the beach. Tlie 'uain body 

 of these Ducks arrive about tlie first of October, and renuiin until Ajiril, together 

 with the other Surf Ducks witli which they associate. Their food consists of small 

 fish, mollusca, crabs, and the like ; and for tiiese they dive in deep water. Their 

 habits are to some extent nocturnal, and during tlie day they often float out in the 

 centre of the Hay, remaining asleep for liours. At such times they may be aj)- 

 proiiched; but usually they are very vigilant, flying out of gunshot, or diving. Dr. 

 Cooper has never lieard this bird making any othi-r noise tlian that jiroduced by the 

 flapping and wliizzing of its wings as it rises with difficulty from the water. 



Early in April the Velvet Ducks collect in large flocks jjreparatory to moving 

 northward to their breeding-places. Tlu^y pass along the shore, at a short distance 

 from it, and at times seem to form an almost continuous line. While in the Hay of 

 Fundy, in the spring of 1833, Audubon went with his party to a projecting cape, 

 around which this Duck was passing from daylight until evening — approaching tlie 

 shore when it blew hard from the sea, and affording abundant opportunities for tlie 

 sportsman. In Labrador he found the waters covered with dense flocks of tliis species, 

 and others continued to arrive from the St. Lawrence for several days in succession. 

 This Avas about the middle of June, and the season was an unusually late one, the 

 fishermen informing him that these Ducks usually passed a fortnight earlier. A few 

 of them remained to breed on the southern coast of Labrador ; and a large number of 

 sterile individuals also pass the summer in the Hay of Fundy, 



Those which bred in Labrador built their nests from the 1st to the lOtli of June ; 

 and July 28 Audubon caught several birds a few days old. The nests were jdaced 

 within a few feet of tlie borders of small lakes distant a mile or two from the sea, 

 usually under low bushes ; and they were formed of twigs, mosses, and various plants 

 matted together. Tlie nests were large, and almost flat, several inches tliick, lined 

 with some feathers of the female, but without down. Tlie eggs were usiuilly six in 

 number, measuring 2.7") inches in length and 1.88 in breadth, of a uniform jiale 

 cream-color, tinged with green. 



The young birds procured on the 28th of July were about a week old ; and Audu- 

 bon could even then readily distinguish the males from the females — the former 

 having a wliite spot under the eye. The down with which they were covered was 

 stiff and hair-like, of a lilack color, except under the chin, which was white. The 

 ducklings swam with so much ease tliat it was impossible to catch them while in the 

 water, as they would dive Avith great dexterity, the mother in the meanwhile mani- 

 festing the greatest anxiety, calling to her brood with short squeaking notes — which, 

 however, wei-e by no means unpleasant to the ear. 



The Velvet Duck dives with great agility, and when wounded can only be taken 

 with difficulty. 



Mr. MacFarlane met with this bird breeding in considerable numbers on the 

 Lower Anderson River, in the neighborhood of the Fort, on the Barren Grounds ; 

 and also quite as frequently in the wooded country. The nests were always on the 

 ground, near fresh water, and all contained more or less down. The number of eggs 

 ranged from five to eight. One nest, taken June 14, was on the ground in a small 

 clump of woods near Fort Anderson, and was made of feathers, down, etc. Another 

 one, found July 3, contained seven eggs, and was in a clump of small spruce, where 

 it was entirely concealed. A third, taken June 22, was found at the foot of a low 

 pine, shaded by its branches, and almost entirely hidden ; it was made of down, with 

 the addition of a few feathers. All the other nests were essentially similar in 



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